Custom Hardware Association Standards - [BETA 0.1]CHA standards represents sound advertising, selling and customer service practices that enhance customer trust and confidence in business. The Code is built on the eight principles that summarize important elements of creating and maintaining trust in business.
To join as the Custom Harward Association the business or organization affirms that it meets and will abide by the following standards:
1. Build TrustEstablish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace.
An member business or organization agrees to:
A. Have been operational (actively selling products or services) in any bitcoin custom hardware mining area for at least the most recent 12 months with documented and proven sales.
B. Fulfill all licensing and bonding requirements of applicable jurisdictions
C. Be free from government action that demonstrates a significant failure to support CHA ethical principles in marketplace transactions
D. Be free of an unsatisfactory rating. (Yet to be determined anonymous customer feed back rating system)
E. In its relationship with the bitcoin community:
+ meet all applicable standards within this Code of Business Practices
+ cooperate with CHA’s activities and efforts to promote voluntary self-regulation within the business’ industry
2. Advertise HonestlyAdhere to established standards of advertising and selling.
An accredited business or organization agrees to:
A. Follow their national, state/provincial and local advertising laws.
B. Abide by a Code of Advertising. Supply, upon request, substantiation for advertising and selling claims. Correct advertising and selling practices, when recommended by peer review from the CHA.
C. Adhere to applicable industry codes of advertising.
D. Cooperate with self-regulatory programs for the resolution of advertising disputes.
E. Use the CHA name and logos in accordance with CHA policy.
F. Avoid misleading customers by creating the false impression of sponsorship, endorsement, popularity, trustworthiness, product quality or business size through the misuse of logos, trustmarks, pictures, testimonials, or other means.
3. Tell the TruthHonestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.
An member business or organization agrees to:
A. Make known all material facts in both written and verbal representations, remembering that misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements but by omitting or obscuring relevant facts.
B. Ensure that any written materials are readily available, clear, accurate and complete.
4. Be TransparentOpenly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy.
An accredited business or organization agrees to:
A. Upon request, provide CHA with all information required to evaluate compliance with CHA standards. This may include, but is not limited to business name, address and contact information; names and background of principals; business and banking references; licensing and/or professional accreditation; and a complete description of the nature of the business.
B. Clearly disclose to customers:
+ direct and effective means to contact the business
+ terms of any written contract
+ any guarantees or warranties accompanying a product
+ any restrictions or limitations imposed (e.g. limited supply,maximum number available per customer)
+ the business’ return/refund policy
+ any recurring commitment into which the customer may be entering, including information on how future billing will occur
+ total cost of the transaction, including tax, shipping and handling, and other related charges
C. If selling products or providing services on Web sites or via other electronic means:
+ provide any required product labeling information
+ disclose the nature and terms of shipping, including any known delays or shortages of stock
+ provide an opportunity to review and confirm the transaction before the sale is completed
+ provide a receipt summarizing the transaction after the purchase
5. Honor PromisesAbide by all written agreements and verbal representations.
An accredited business or organization agrees to:
A. Fulfill contracts signed and agreements reached.
B. Honor representations by correcting mistakes as quickly as possible.
6. Be ResponsiveAddress marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith.
An accredited business or organization agrees to:
A. Promptly respond to all complaints forwarded by BBB by:
1. Resolving the complaint directly with the complainant and notifying CHA, or
2. Providing CHA with a response that CHA determines:
+ is professional, addresses all of the issues raised by the complainant, includes appropriate evidence and documents supporting the business’ position, and explains why any relief sought by the complainant cannot or should not be granted.
B. Make a good faith effort to resolve disputes, which includes mediation if requested by CHA. Other dispute resolution options, including arbitration, may be recommended by CHA when other efforts to resolve a dispute have failed. CHA may consider a business’ willingness to participate in recommended dispute resolution options in determining compliance with these standards.
C. Comply with any settlements, agreements or decisions reached as an outcome of a CHA dispute resolution process.
D. Cooperate with CHA in efforts to eliminate the underlying cause of patterns of customer complaints that are identified by CHA.
7. Safeguard PrivacyProtect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of customers regarding the use of their information.
An member business or organization agrees to:
A. Respect Privacy
Businesses conducting e-commerce agree to disclose on their Web site the following:
+ what information they collect,
+ with whom it is shared,
+ how it can be corrected,
+ how it is secured,
+ how policy changes will be communicated, and;
+ how to address concerns over misuse of personal data.
B. Secure Sensitive Data
Businesses that collect sensitive data online will ensure that it is transmitted via secure means. Businesses will make best efforts to comply with industry standards for the protection and proper disposal of all sensitive data, both online and offline.
C. Honor Customer Preferences
Businesses agree to respect customer preferences regarding contact by telephone, fax and e-mail, and agree to remedy the underlying cause of any failure to do so.
8. Embody IntegrityApproach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.
A member business or organization agrees to:
Avoid involvement, by the business or its principals, in activities that reflect unfavorably on, or otherwise adversely affect the public image of bitcoin, botcoing mining or the CHA or its other member businesses.
Modified from: http://www.bbb.org/us/bbb-accreditation-standards/
