Tokyo, January 24, 2019 - Rakuten, Inc. and the BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute today signed a memorandum on strengthening cooperation in enhancing product quality management on Rakuten Ichiba, the internet shopping mall operated by Rakuten.
Under the partnership, Rakuten and the BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute are to manage product quality related to product labelling of products registered on Rakuten Ichiba. Specifically, Rakuten will conduct product monitoring and purchase products for the purpose of investigation and quality verification through the BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute. If, as a result, incorrect labelling is discovered, Rakuten will take measures to encourage the merchant to correct the misleading production information, based on the Rakuten Ichiba merchant agreement. Rakuten and the BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute would also provide opportunities to Rakuten Ichiba merchants to learn more about product materials, labelling and regulations by setting product quality labelling rules and guidelines for Rakuten Ichiba.
Rakuten has already taken a number of measures to improve service quality on Rakuten Ichiba and to ensure fair and proper transactions between merchants and users. These include establishing a committee to enhance quality in 2014 to provide users with a safer and more reassuring shopping experience, and partnering with a third party organization to act against counterfeit brand goods, copyright infringing products and fake websites.
The BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute is one of Japan’s leading comprehensive testing organizations, conducting testing and research that is both impartial and fair with a focus on textiles and other products, contributing to the safety and security of consumers. Through this cooperation agreement, BOKEN will provide the technology, knowledge and information it has cultivated in the field of product quality management as a comprehensive quality information service provider to Rakuten, and further contribute to society.
By promoting a more robust and healthier online market, Rakuten and the BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute will be able to offer consumers a safer, more secure shopping experience.
About the BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute
The BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute was established for the purpose of promoting the export of textile products and improvements in quality, obtaining authorization from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (currently the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in 1948. As a comprehensive testing organization, BOKEN offers quality evaluation and support services for a wide range of products from textiles and clothing to daily necessities, furniture and cosmetics. https://www.boken.or.jp/
Rakuten customer protection
In 2014, Rakuten established a committee to enhance quality and has been carrying out a variety of measures aimed at improving service quality on Rakuten Ichiba and ensuring fair and proper transactions between merchants and users. With regard to counterfeit brand goods, copyright infringing products and fake websites, it has partnered with a third party organization to address the issue using a range of methods in the aim of building a platform that users and merchants alike can use with confidence. https://event.rakuten.co.jp/anshin/
January 24, 2019
- Rakuten, Inc.
- BOKEN Quality Evaluation Institute