THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) has extended the voluntary registration for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark until Dec. 31, 2026, to give more online businesses time to secure the certification.
In an interview on Dec. 22, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said about 18,400 businesses have applied for the Trustmark so far.
The policy, she said, will be reviewed ahead of the new deadline.
Roque said they also continue to assess how other countries regulate online business registration to help improve local policies.
DTI originally set the voluntary Trustmark registration deadline on September 30 this year but extended this to the end of this year as more businesses clamor for the extension.
“The Trustmark is not a regulation to burden businesses but to serve as a tool that shields legitimate enterprises from scammers who undermine consumer confidence. Our aim is to make it simpler for consumers to identify and trust legitimate sellers, so entrepreneurs can focus on what truly matters – growing their business,” Roque earlier said.
DTI officials has earlier said that among major players that have been issued badges are TikTok, Lazada and Shopee.
Under Republic Act 11967, or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, and the DTI’s Department Administrative Order 25-07, businesses with online presence are mandated to apply for the badge to ensure the security of transactions, both for the sellers and the consumers. (PNA)
