Online Shopping Safety

Industry Canada has established a set of e-commerce principles to protect Canadian consumers when they're shopping online.

The principles offer clear guidance to Canadian companies establishing an e-commerce presence, and also help Canadian consumers know what to look for on Web sites where they plan to shop.

The working group that developed these principles was drawn from business, consumer and government organizations across Canada.

A summary of the principles for e-commerce includes:

• clear and sufficient information should be provided so consumers can make an informed choice

• vendors should take reasonable steps to ensure the consumer's choice is informed and intentional

• personal information should be protected

• e-commerce transactions should be secure

• there should be access to fair, timely and affordable methods to resolve transaction problems

• liability for e-commerce transaction problems should be fair

• no spam

• government, business and consumer groups should promote consumer awareness about the safe use of e-commerce.