VALUE COMMERCE

Aug 18th,2021
ValueCommerce Co., Ltd.

　ValueCommerce Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Jin Kagawa; hereinafter, “ValueCommerce”) has botained KTAA Certification (certification of advertising agency compliant with the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, and Specified Commercial Transactions Act) and YMAA Certification (certification of advertising agency compliant with the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act and Medical Care Act). The advertisements of advertising businesses complying with these laws are screened by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act and Medical Care Act Standards Association.

Recent trends in affiliate advertising
In 2020, the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19 led to more time spent online using PCs and smartphones, which meant more opportunities for online shopping. As calls for self-restraint continued with no end in sight, the number of e-commerce users increased, and consumer affairs centers received calls from mainly young people who had run into difficulties after purchasing subscriptions online. In June 2021, following a series of arrests and cases referred to prosecutors for violations of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act during the COVID-19 catastrophe, the Consumer Affairs Agency launched an Affiliate Advertising Investigation Commission.

ValueCommerce initiatives
Besides the rigorous screening of advertisements using the traditional method of the naked eye, ValueCommerce has been working with companies whose technology has been certified by the world’s leading accreditation organizations to strengthen ad fraud prevention and brand safety.
We also strive to raise awareness by sending out weekly e-mail newsletters to advertisers and advertising media urging caution. In addition, we invite lecturers from external organizations to educate our employees and ensure they are kept abreast of the most up-to-date information.

About the certification schemes
KTAA Certification System: A system that evaluates companies handling advertising as having obtained knowledge of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, and Specified Commercial Transactions Act, grants them the KTAA mark attesting to this and allows them to use the KTAA mark in their business activities. ValueCommerce is the first company in the ASP (Affiliate Service Provider; hereafter, “ASP”) industry to obtain this certification.
YMAA Certification System: A system that evaluates companies handling advertising as having obtained knowledge of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act and Medical Care Act, grants them the YMAA mark attesting to this and allows them to use the YMAA mark in their business activities. In the event of a conflict or potential conflict with the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act or Medical Care Act in advertising commissioned by an advertising agency or other business, the agency or other business will be investigated to ensure that it has adequate monitoring and control systems in place, that responsibility for any violation has been properly established, and that a training system is in place for when such cases occur.

Advantages of choosing an ASP that has obtained KTAA or YMAA certification
We consider certification by a third party to be an essential criterion to enable companies and users who are new to affiliate marketing to choose an ASP they can trust from among the many ASPs available. When choosing an affiliate for advertising, KTAA or YMAA certification is a good indicator since it ensures that the risk of damage to the advertiser’s brand is avoided as far as possible.

Outlook
ValueCommerce will continue to lead the affiliate industry by responding to changes in the social environment and providing safe and secure affiliate services for all.