Our ongoing mission is to enhance consumer confidence and trust for Users and Consumers of Internet Sites, Services, Products and Companies that have implemented best practices, procedures and policies. These entities are pioneers of the 21st Century. If acceptance of the value these entities bring can be achieved through real consumer trust and confidence, this acceptance will make the World a better place for all concerned. Quality Testing Labs (QTL) feels real consumer trust and confidence can only be accomplished by an independent third party body without any personal interest, bias or gain that would be inherent through partnerships with those in the industry itself. QTL's mission is to help computer-related Sites, Services and Products regain and retain consumer confidence and trust while creating Consumer awareness and providing Consumer advocacy. QTL shall make every attempt to keep pace with this rapidly growing and change with it.

Who we are - Quality Testing Labs (QTL) was formed in July of 2000 as an independent third party self-governing regulatory intermediary. QTL will work closely with all parties - computer-related Sites, Services and Products, organizations and governments, however, it will always remain independent  of these parties with no partnerships or other relationships that could cause inherent bias.

Quality Testing Labs' itself is a consortium of independent qualified Associates with industry experience, knowledge and continued interest and awareness of changes in this rapidly growing industry. Each Associate makes every effort to be fair, impartial, non-judgmental, and equitable to all parties involved without becoming affiliated with any of the markets they serve. Though Associates are compensated for their efforts, no Associate may be a partner, board member or employee of any major entity directly involved in the industry that could cause personal interests which might effect their judgment or performance in achieving QTL's ongoing mission.

Our belief - The Internet, computers and related products, if used properly, responsibly and ethically, can be of great benefit and value to the World. If regulated by a third party entity, independent of governments as well as those directly involved in the industries it serves, QTL believes it can be instrumental in the betterment of the Internet and computer-related Sites, Services and Products, enabling them to grow and flourish for the betterment of all people.

Our concerns about these industries - 21st Century industries are moving so quickly, and changing so rapidly, that some, though not all by any means, are taking unjust advantage of the chaos without the Consumer in mind. The problem is that one can effect consumer's judgment of all others. This fact brings QTL to the conclusion that there is an immediate need for some form of minimal governance and regulation - and this can only be brought about by a nimble, flexible, committed independent third party with no affiliation with the industry itself. If embraced, minimal governance and third party regulation could limit the need and extent of government intervention, and the attendant delays caused by the need to have all governments worldwide in agreement. If QTL can enable this, it feels strongly that these entities will grow and flourish along with the Consumers they serve.

Our concerns about internal self-regulation - In a perfect world, people would be able to govern themselves. However history has shown that when people involved in within their own industry attempt to govern themselves, there is unavoidable bias in the speed of change and effectiveness of the programs they are capable of developing, implementing and enforcing. In other words, one does not want to punish oneself unless forced to. And the change these 21st Century industries need must keep pace with the frantic growth of the industries. People directly involved in the growth of these industries have little true motivation to expedite this change.

Why has the public lost confidence? - Currently, Sites, Services, Computer Products and the Companies behind them have been, for the most part, unregulated. QTL is not a proponent of strict regulation since we feel it hampers the growth and ability of industries to deliver new and better products and services. However, the reduction in consumer confidence and lack of trust seems to be the direct result of a lack of regulation. Then, when the acts of a few that have not adhered to promises made or the  fundamentals of good business practices are exposed, consumer trust and confidence is further eroded.

What does QTL plan to do about the issues? - To meet its objectives as stated in our Mission, Quality Testing Labs believes there needs to be set forth a basic set of codes, ethics and fundamental practices that all Internet Sites, computer and related Services, Products and Companies can attain, and consumers can embrace. We feel that a show of commitment on the part of these entities will logically result in a dramatic increase in consumer trust these entities require to succeed. This is why we created the first draft of a Code of good business practices and offer those willing to abide by it the ability to be licensed and agree to be bound by it. This is also why, in our draft, we require most to carry Site and User Liability Insurance Coverage. The cost of this coverage is minimized by the pre-requisite QTL Code of Ethics and is purchased independently of QTL. We are not an insurance broker, nor are we affiliated, nor do we receive commissions from any insurance we require. We simply feel insurance is a necessary ingredient in accomplishing our mission for many of those whom we license.

Associations - To meet our objectives, QTL welcomes and will always be open to assisting all government and regulatory bodies in the US and other Trade Commissions, Departments of Justice, ICANN, the United Nations, and others that are trying to make the Internet, Services and Products safer and more effective.

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