10 August 2001, Singapore - CommerceTrust Limited today announced that its PrivacyTrust Global Reliability Programme has made inroads into Japan.

CommerceTrust Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Japan Information Processing Development Corporation (JIPDEC), an organisation supported by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in Japan, to cross-recognise each other's privacy protection mark.

The two organisations, which provide a stamp of privacy assurance to consumers, have set out a framework to work together in protecting the privacy of consumers in both countries. The scope of cooperation will extend from harmonisation of privacy protection standards and conformity assessment to cooperation in dispute resolution, monitoring and enforcement.

"International business requires massive transfers of personal data across national borders. At the same time, confidentiality and privacy concerns of consumers and businesses are growing and could hamper international trade. The complexity of the problem, however, means that a final global consensus on a workable solution is still a long way off. This cross-recognition between our two countries is thus an important milestone for international consensus on data protection measures." said Associate Professor Toh See Kiat, Chairman of CommerceTrust and MP for Aljunied GRC. "Upon the completion of this exercise, Singapore and Japan would have a compatible level of protection for personal data based on the mutual recognition and equivalence of both accreditation schemes."

"E-Commerce between corporations and consumers is growing rapidly, making it critical that corporations properly protect personal information within and across borders. It is a significant occasion for CommerceTrust Limited and JIPDEC to agree to work together to harmonize standards between two privacy protection systems. It is hoped that our efforts will be a model for development of cross-border alliances especially within Asian countries." said Mr Yuji Yamadori, Managing Director of JIPDEC.

This announcement comes at a time when mounting concerns over intrusion of privacy has prompted governments worldwide to implement privacy legislation. The advent of the European Union Data Protection Directive, in particular, may lead to a series of international charges that data protection is being used as a shield for trade protectionism. The adoption of privacy protection marks such as PrivacyTrust and the JIPDEC Privacy Mark serve to demonstrate adequate data protection to the international community and facilitate transborder data flows. More specifically, the cross-recognition would ensure the free flow of information between Singapore and Japan.

About CommerceTrust Limited

CommerceTrust Limited is formed with the primary objective to accelerate the development and promotion of trust in both the physical and internet business environment by providing a benchmarking framework for trust. Its mission is to be a global leader in building trust and confidence by providing trustmarks that facilitate business transactions.

CommerceTrust's Global Reliability Programme is customised to meet the different requirements of specific industries or categories of businesses. Each programme has a representative trustmark that is distinctive and easily recognisable. Currently, three distinctive trustmarks are issued: ConsumerTrust, PrivacyTrust and BusinessTrust.

CommerceTrust Limited is initiated by CommerceNet Singapore (CNSG), a not-for-profit industry association for companies that engage in electronic commerce and e-business. CNSG is part of a global consortium of business partners spread over 20 countries. Its mission is to make electronic commerce easy, trusted and ubiquitous.

About PrivacyTrust

PrivacyTrust is a Global Reliability Programme that aims to meet international practices in personal data protection. The PrivacyTrust Code of Practice is based on the standards embodied in the National Internet Advisory Committee (NIAC) E-Commerce Code for the Protection of Personal Information and Communications of Consumers of Internet Commerce, the OECD's Guidelines Governing the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data (1980), the EU-US Safe Harbour Agreement as well as the EU Data Protection Directive 95/46.

The PrivacyTrust Global Reliability Programme serves to provide assurance to consumers that their privacy rights would be respected. The PrivacyTrust mark is not only a symbol of trust that provides consumers with a privacy-friendly environment, it is also a mark that signifies a reliable and consistent method by which businesses can demonstrate their conformity to international data protection standards and enhance their ability to thrive in the markets of the developed world.

Issued by CommerceTrust Ltd
For Further information, please contact:

CommerceTrust Limited
35, Selegie Road,
#09-25, Parklane,
Singapore 188307
Tel: 65 - 6337 2368   Fax: 65 - 6337 7108
Email:commercetrust@cnsg.com.sg