25) What is the “continuous monitoring” element, and when can I obtain EDAA ‘Trust Seal’ to demonstrate compliance?

25) What is the “continuous monitoring” element, and when can I obtain EDAA ‘Trust Seal’ to demonstrate compliance?

[ps2id id=’faq-25′ target=”/]Topline: the ‘Trust Seal’ (pictured below) is a symbol of good standing, responsibility and trust towards the business community and consumers – demonstrating verified company compliance with the European Principles; it will be awarded once the company has self-certified and undertaken the compliance assessment, including an initial 30 days of uninterrupted ongoing monitoring of compliance by an approved Certification Provider (see FAQ 26 below). EDAA “Trust Seal” will be hosted by the company’s chosen Certification Provider (with back-end validation mechanisms) to be displayed on the compliant company’s website.

Timeframe: 8 months. The company should obtain the Trust Seal within 8 months of signing up to the Programme. This comprises of the 6 months for self-certification, an additional month for compliance assessment, and a further 30 days of ongoing monitoring prior to award of the Trust Seal. The Trust Seal is then subject to monitoring of compliance and must be renewed every 2 years from the date of issue (N.B. the validity of a Trust Seal has been extended from 1 year to 2 years as of 1 June 2018, to improve the certification process and services for the benefit of all participating companies).