“Online Certified Shop”
Online shopping is a shopping mainstream nowadays, and to protect the rights of consumers when shopping online, the Consumer Council will extend its monitoring job on “Certified Shops” to “Online Certified Shops” in 2018. The mechanism aims to attract current “Certified Shops” that operates in the online business.
“Online Certified Shops” to have secure transaction platform
The basic requirements for becoming an “Online Certified Shop” include: online transaction region must include Macao, a separate website or app is set up, clear details of payment and transaction are available, etc.. Also, the shop is responsible to secure the safety of the transaction and the privacy of consumers’ personal details. Those which pass the evaluation of the Consumer Council will be awarded the emblem of “Online Certified Shop”.
Consumer dispute must be resolved
Shops that are entitled to the “Online Certified Shop” emblem promise to resolve all consumer disputes, the Council also states that “Online Certified Shops” will be monitored for a period of time to ensure the effectiveness of the mechanism.
Developments to be made gradually
The “Online Certified Shops” mechanism now accepts application from current “Certified Shops” that operate online business, the Council will also assist “Certified Shops” to expand their business online, this will not only boost consumers’ confidence in both offline and online shopping, but also help local small and medium enterprises to engage in the global trend of doing business online.
The Council hopes that the mechanism will expand to include other individual online shops once the new Consumer Protection Law is published in the future, this will further enhance both local and foreign consumers’ confidence in shopping online from Macao websites.
Monitoring and evaluation on “Online Certified Shops” starts in 2018
The first batch of “Online Certified Shops” were awarded at the annual “Certified Shops” ceremony of the Council, and the Council will start its evaluation and monitoring work.
Interactive platform between Consumer Council, businesses, and consumers
Consumers will be able to make review and inquiry, as well as leave comments on the “Online Certified Shops” area on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), the involved buisness is required to make response within 72 hours upon receiving the message, the Council will monitor the whole process and evaluate the performance of the shop. The interactive platform serves to exchange information and to build a trusting relationship between businesses and consumers, the involved business will also be able to make improvements and provide better services to consumers.