The Internet Business Standards Association is an international alliance of online businesses.

Our mission is twofold; first, to ensure that business practices in all areas of online enterprise are honest and equitable; second, to ensure that consumers will always have a safe online-shopping alternative.

As the Internet Business Standards Association is an alliance of member businesses, it is open to any business that has a significant web presence (at least a home page specifically devoted to the business). It does not require e-commerce functionality such as online shopping or customer service capabilities.

Together, member enterprises work to identify and deal with areas of concerns for online business practices and for the online business community.

Members are keenly aware that the Internet is borderless and supranational. Only stringent self-regulation can earn the trust and confidence of consumers worldwide.

IBSA Programs

In order to carry out our mission, we have created a specific Code of Conduct, relevant and applicable for all major aspects of online commerce. These include guidelines concerning advertising, selling practices, credit approval, service issues, complaint resolution, and issues involving minors, amongst several others.

To let consumers know about sites they can trust, we have also created the Internet Business Standards Association GOLDEN SEAL program based on our Code of Conduct..

IBSA members who meet the criterion set out in the IBSA Code of Conduct have the right to display a verifiable GOLDEN SEAL emblem prominently on their site.

These programs are supported by the IBSA newsletters and the website – www.InternetStandards.org. Through these materials, consumers and businesses alike will stay informed as to the latest regarding online business standards and practices, including warnings about dubious practices and sites.