The “Howard” tool, developed by the European Commission, allows online shoppers to check a web trader’s reputation before committing to purchasing goods from the website.
The tool gathers information on individual websites, such as where and when the site was registered. The service also checks whether a website has “trusted” accreditation and finds details of official company registration. The head of the IE Domain Registry (IEDR) has welcomed the launch of the European Consumer Centre network’s online shopping tool, saying that it would help build consumer confidence in online transactions. “As a managed registry, the IE Domain Registry has long placed great emphasis on the importance of building consumer trust and confidence in transacting online,” said IEDR chief executive David Curtin. The IE Domain Registry domain name search, which gives information on the registration of dot-ie domain names, is linked to the ‘Howard’ tool.
The tool is available at http://www.eccdublin.ie.