Online businesses are now required to obtain an E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark (Trustmark), with the deadline for application set at the end of the month.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the mandatory registration responds to a surge in consumer concerns, with the trade regulator recording over 13,000 complaints related to online transactions in the first eight months of the year.
The DTI said the move aims to boost consumer confidence in the e-commerce space.
Previously an optional certification, the Trustmark was made mandatory through Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 25-12, Series of 2025, issued on September 4. The order requires online merchants, e-retailers, e-marketplaces, and digital platforms to register for the Trustmark.
According to the DTI, only businesses with a Trustmark badge will be permitted to conduct e-commerce in the Philippines.
However, both the DTI and DAO 25-12 remain silent on penalties for businesses that fail to apply for the Trustmark.
“As of September 8, the DTI has already issued the digital badge to several major companies, signaling early industry compliance. Among those registered are Shopee Philippines, Inc. (Shopee), Bytedance Philippines Inc. (TikTok Shop), Lalamove Philippines, Inc. (Lalamove), and LG Electronics Philippines, Inc. (LG),” the DTI said.
Also on the list are Asahi Electrical Manufacturing Corporation (Asahi), Cherenz Global Mfg., Inc. (TOUGHMAMA), Concepcion Midea, Inc. (Midea), Concepcion Carrier Air Conditioning Company (Carrier), First Digital Finance Corporation (Billease), Mailtag Ortigas Corporation (DHL Express), Pan-Eurasia Sales Marketing Corporation (Dowell, Edamama, and Tefal), QuadX Inc. (GoGo Xpress and ShippingCart), and Tosot Philippines Corporation (Tosot).
“To earn and maintain a Trustmark, businesses must meet key regulatory standards, including full business disclosure, protection of consumer data, and the establishment of an internal redress mechanism to address consumer complaints,” it added.
