Online sellers may get more time for trustmark

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is looking to extend the deadline of the registration for the digital verification system in e-commerce from Sept. 30 to the end of the year, as the agency ramps up promotion efforts for the now-mandated requirement for all merchants and platforms.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

The DTI’s plan to extend the registration period for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark to Dec. 31 comes amid low registration and growing concerns from online sellers about the additional cost.

The trustmark serves as a digital badge issued to online platforms and merchants that comply with fair ecommerce practices.

It is designed to help consumers identify legitimate online merchants, safeguarding them from unfair trade practices and threats of scams and other fraudulent activities.

Based on the DTI’s latest figures, there are over 10,000 pending registrations from online merchants, e-retailers, and digital platforms.

For micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) alone, which account for 99 percent of all businesses in the country, the DTI is expecting approximately 500,000 registrants for the sector.