Online Responsibility Network

Trust mark

What is the ORN trust mark?

What is the trust mark?

Online Responsibility Network’s trust mark is exclusive to members of our network. Any organisation can say they take online responsibility seriously. ORN’s trust mark is how you prove it.
  • It acts as a visible commitment to improving online trust and safety
  • It evidences that an organisation has been independently assessed against our priciples-based standards for online trust and safety
  • It's a mark you can display to regulators, partners, advertisers and customers - backed by an independent assessment process, not a self-declaration.

Why the trust mark matters

The regulation of online spaces is fragmented and fast-moving. Organisations have never experienced this level of pressure to provide safe online spaces for their users and customers, with high penalties for those failing to meet the latest standards and regulations.
 
But this pressure isn’t just from regulators. Consumers are more sceptical than ever when it comes to online trust - making it harder than ever to build, and easier than ever to break.
 
Our research showed that 52% of Gen Z have already stopped or reduced engagement with platforms due to trust and safety concerns, while 62% will not buy from brands with a poor safety reputation. 

Consumers know trust signals

Trust signals aren’t new to consumers - we see them every day, from identifying quality beef, chocolate that gives the best deal to cocoa farmers, cosmetics that care about animal welfare, ecommerce sites that promise a safe payment system.

ORN's trust mark shows that websites and platforms are taking online responsibility safely, meeting high standards to keep their users safe.

The trust mark gives you a way to...

Give customers a recognisable signal of genuine commitment

Demonstrate regulatory readiness to your boards, regulators and partners

Reassure advertisers and platforms making brand-safety decisions

Differentiate commercially in markets where trust is becoming a competitive factor, not just a tick box exercise.

Our approach

Online Responsibility Network assessments are built on a principle-based assurance framework designed to be practical, cross-sector and outcomes-focused.

1.

Baseline assessment

A structured review of how your organisation currently manages online responsibility, mapped against relevant principles and obligations.

2.

Improvement plan

A clear set of recommendations, prioritised by impact and feasibility. This includes suggested owners, timelines, and evidence markers.

3.

Ongoing re-assessment

Optional reassessments to show progress over time and demonstrate continuous improvement.

Our approach

What it covers

Governance & accountability

Ownership, oversight and decision-making.

Risk management & controls

How risks are identified, mitigated and monitored.

Policy-to-practice alignment

Implementation, training and escalation.

Measurement & outcomes

What you measure, how you learn and what changes.

Supply chain & partner expectations

Requirements, transparency and accountability.

Incident readiness

Response plans, reporting and crisis governance.

Who is the trust mark for?

The trust mark is most valuable for organisations that need a practical, evidence led view across teams, including:
  • Platforms and digital services
  • Brands and advertisers
  • Agencies and ad-tech partners
  • Marketplaces and communities
  • Any organisation building trust as a commerical differentiator