ERA Member Code of Ethics

The Electronic Retailing Association Board of Directors unanimously approved the Code of Ethics for ERA members in January 1996. It is a simple, straightforward statement of business ethics principles. Members agree to abide by the association’s bylaws, code of ethics and self-certification program. Failure to comply with the aforementioned may result in immediate and automatic termination of ERA membership by the Board of Directors. Additionally, members agree to abide by the Electronic Retailing Self-Regulatory Program (ERSP). Failure to comply with ERSP will result in immediate and automatic termination of ERA membership without consideration by the Board of Directors from this organization. Please note your dues are not refundable upon termination. As members of ERA, the trade association for electronic retailers, we pledge that we shall be honest and fair in our dealings with our customers, our suppliers, our employees, and our fellow ERA members. In particular, we promise:

  1. To comply with ERA's Marketing Guidelines and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulation relating to the advertising and marketing of products to consumers;
     
  2. To honor all warranties and money-back guarantees, and to establish and maintain a fair and equitable distribution system for handling customer complaints;
     
  3. To make only accurate and truthful representations about the nature and scope of our business operations, including revenues and profits, past or present relationships with other businesses, and ownership or other rights in products, advertisements, or media;
     
  4. To avoid false, misleading, or malicious statements about competitors, their products, their businesses, or their business practices;
     
  5. To strive to fulfill the provisions of all contracts and other legal obligations, and to avoid interference with or infringement of the legal rights of others;
     
  6. To refrain from all improper or offensive business conduct, including discrimination against or disparagement of any person or group on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, or sex; and,
     
  7. To keep informed about proposed legislation and regulatory proposals affecting our industry, supporting those which promote fair and honest competition and the protection of legitimate consumer rights, and opposing those which destroy, weaken, or unnecessarily interfere with our free market economic system.