BBBOnLine named Elizabeth Blumenfeld,
formerly America Online’s deputy director of legal and brand policy, as
project director to spearhead the creation of what it called “the Internet’s
first Code of Online Business Practices.”
BBBOnLine also set a timetable to complete the code by early next year.
Blumenfeld will oversee the development of the standards and coordinate
efforts to solicit input from the business community, regulators and
consumers.
“Consumers must be comfortable using the Internet for transactions or
e-commerce will never reach its full potential,” said Blumenfeld.
“With the
depth of experience the BBB system has in developing voluntary codes for
ethical business practices and its breadth of membership, BBBOnLine is
perfectly suited to develop a code for online business practices that will
protect consumers and nurture e-commerce well into the next century.”
The BBBOnLine Code will go beyond online advertising issues and cover areas
such as disclosure of terms of sale, notice of costs, system security and
other consumer protection issues, the organization said.
BBBOnLine plans to solicit online public comment on the proposed code later
this fall. Regional meetings will be held to solicit face-to-face input. The
final code is scheduled for completion by early next year.
BBBOnLine also engaged the law firm of Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn
PLLCArent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn PLLC, an advertising and Internet
law firm, to assist with the project.
BBBOnLine already has developed two seal programs, a Privacy Seal Program and
a Reliability Seal Program.
Businesses and others wishing to provide input into the development of the
code may e-mail BBBCode@cbbb.bbb.org.