We have to encourage the widespread adoption of best business practices through the use of codes of conduct and a related quality indication, or Trustmark. In particular, we are interested in developing a clear, sound, non-bureaucratic framework for accrediting and verifying these codes of conduct . Work by the Commission and a stakeholder group is already well advanced. An E-confidence Internet forum will be launched in September to allow input from all interested parties. I am also engaged in high level contacts with credit card associations and banks to see what can be done to ensure that more chargeback services are made available to consumers.
Chargeback systems offer consumers important, tangible protection when paying with credit cards.
Our second goal is to develop alternative dispute settlement mechanisms to minimise the need for traditional forms of legal action. Going to the courts is a costly and time-consuming process. We are currently in the process of co-ordinating Member States in order to set up the network. We are also working on principles for mediation and conciliation to complement arbitration and looking into the practical and technical aspects of on-line dispute settlement. The final element of our strategy is to ensure that, if all else fails and recourse to the courts becomes necessary, consumers are able to seek redress through the judicial system of their own Member State.