IDIS Gold Standard
Frequently asked questions
Online accreditation to the IDIS Gold standard more sounds complicated than just confirming our compliance. Is it?
We've made the process as straightforward as possible. All you have to do is respond to questions by checking buttons. As the IDIS Gold standard is much more rigorous than the existing IDIS Charter, we feel it important to ensure that e-retailers are fully aware of the undertakings they are making when they claim accreditation. In pursuit of this aim, this site offers a range of supporting material.
So how will the online application process help me?
The process provides a range of best practice information and delivers useful feedback on your service offer. If you miss the mark on some items, our Online Assessment Calculator will tell you why, as well as suggesting the target to aim for. To support you further, we list solutions and suppliers that may be able to help you meet the standard.
You mention 'first-time delivery success' at various points. What does this mean?
First-time delivery success means that delivery is completed at the first attempt in a way that meets the consumer's expectation. It may include delivery made to a safe place or alternative location of the customer's choosing. A delivery attempt where a card is left and the goods are taken away for collection or re-delivery (for whatever reason) is NOT a successful delivery even if this attempt is made within the timeframe specified.
Once I am accredited, can I display the IDIS Gold logo on any of the websites hosted by my company?
No, you may only display the IDIS Gold logo on a website in which you are able to offer IDIS Gold delivery capability on ALL products on sale through that website.
IDIS Gold accreditation is granted to an individual company in relation to a nominated website hosted by that company that meets the required standard in all aspects of its trading, but not to any website which does not.
But what if my site meets all the IDIS Gold requirements for some types of delivery?
"Qualified" IDIS Gold accreditation is not available, since it could be misleading to consumers. Suppose, for instance, you can offer first-time delivery success in line with Gold Standard requirements on letter-boxable items, but not necessarily on items that require a signature. In this case you may NOT display the IDIS Gold log AT ALL on that website.
Why is there a separate fee for IDIS Gold accreditation?
Developing and maintaining the IDIS Gold Standard scheme incurs costs over and above those that arise in day-to-day ISIS/IDIS administration, and the fee helps to ensure that we are able to continue with this useful work.
Do I need to be an IMRG member to be accredited to IDIS Gold standard?
No, any e-retailer can be accredited to this scheme, but you do need to be an ISIS accredited retailer in order to apply. ISIS (Internet Shopping Is Safe) is the established trust scheme operated by IMRG, and encompasses a wide range of aspects of online trading, including delivery (covered by the related IDIS charter). ISIS accreditation is open to all retailers, not just IMRG members.
Is there an advantage if I am an IMRG member?
Yes, fully paid-up IMRG members (as opposed to other holders of ISIS accreditation) pay no fee for being accredited to the IDIS Gold Standard. However, they still have to meet the same exacting standards as other Gold Standard accredited retailers.
Do I need to have standard IDIS Charter accreditation before applying for IDIS Gold status?
No, you can start from scratch by applying for IDIS Gold accreditation. If your application is successful, this indicates that you already meet all the standards of the IDIS Charter. However, before submitting your application you do need to be an ISIS accredited retailer and have paid the appropriate fee, and in order to activate your IDIS Gold accreditation you will need to pay the additional IDIS Gold accreditation fee.
Please note that if you fail to meet the requirements for IDIS Gold and are not already accredited to IDIS Charter standards, you need to apply separately for IDIS Charter accreditation if you want to display the IDIS Charter logo on your website.
Can I log in to apply for IDIS Gold accreditation using my existing ISIS/IMRG login details?
You need not log in before using the Assessment Calculator, but when submitting your application you need supply contact details that we can cross-check to verify your ISIS accreditation.