Online sellers call for voluntary Trustmark as DTI considers next steps

ONEC urges government to focus on existing laws, reduce fees, and avoid redundant regulations for micro-entrepreneurs.

The Online Business Trustmark was introduced to help consumers identify legitimate online sellers, boosting confidence in digital transactions. For marketplaces and regulators, it is seen as a tool to promote trust and transparency in the growing e-commerce sector.

But not everyone agrees that a mandatory Trustmark is the answer. Online Negosyo Empowerment Community (ONEC), a nationwide movement of online sellers and micro-entrepreneurs, is calling for the Trustmark to remain permanently voluntary.

“For our members, the Trustmark should remain aspirational, private-sector led, and not required by platforms,” Anna Magkawas, convenor of ONEC, told radar Business. “The government should focus on enforcing existing laws rather than adding more rules that risk harming small sellers’ livelihoods.”

ONEC points to rising platform fees, redundant regulations, and increasing compliance costs as major challenges for small sellers. 

Fees on top of fees

The organization also raised concerns over the new ₱5 order-processing fee imposed by major platforms. Shopee and Lazada implemented the fee in September 2025, while TikTok Shop followed suit on December 1. 

“With rising costs and inflation, micro-sellers cannot absorb additional charges. Platforms should review and reduce the fee, ideally below 1 peso—or eliminate it entirely,” Magkawas said.

While ONEC supports consumer protection, it stresses that the Trustmark duplicates existing safeguards, including consumer laws, product standards, intellectual property protections, and platform verification systems.

DTI continues to weigh options

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), on the other hand, has indicated it may keep the Trustmark voluntary beyond its current December 31 deadline. Officials said the agency is reviewing feedback from sellers and industry groups, noting that the program is meant to boost consumer confidence without creating extra burdens.

According to the DTI, the voluntary approach could encourage wider adoption as sellers take the initiative to build credibility at their pace. The agency emphasized that mandatory participation might disproportionately affect smaller businesses that are already struggling with compliance and rising operational expenses.

ONEC’s stance highlights balancing consumer protection with practical realities faced by micro-entrepreneurs. Keeping the Trustmark optional, while addressing platform fees and regulatory redundancies, allows sellers to maintain credibility without jeopardizing their livelihood in the fast-growing Philippine e-commerce sector.

 

 

The Online Negosyo Empowerment Community wants the Trustmark to remain voluntary while highlighting platform fees and regulatory burdens that threaten small online sellers.

 

 

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