Culture Secretary Chris Smith has put forward a proposal for a Europe-wide "trust mark" to build consumer confidence in e-commerce.

The move builds on the Department of Trade & Industry's (DTI) Trust UK scheme which aims to build confidence in UK e-commerce sites and ensure they meet acceptable standards. If implemented, the "trust mark" on a website will indicate a company has complied with consumer protection, privacy and security legislation.

The proposal comes from the latest Creative Industries Task Force report Creative Industries Internet Inquiry: Snapshot of a rolling wave. The aim of the proposal is to boost consumer trust and confidence in e-commerce across national boundaries and help create new opportunities both for UK creative industries and consumers.

Mr Smith said: "Almost 10 million people are now using the Internet. In the near future, the Internet will be accessible through digital TV. The internet offers significant commercial opportunities for our creative industries, both within the UK and further afield. This is particularly significant as on-line transactions become more widely recognised."

Minister for Small Business and E-commerce, Patricia Hewitt added: "Britain's creative industries are world class. Now the internet offers a new opportunity for creative talent to exploit. By highlighting these opportunities, this report plays a vital role in helping to achieve our goal of making the UK the best place in the world to do business."

Anna Lagerkvist