Initially, Concerned CRA's is focusing on two important items:

The transport of consumer information outside of the United States. In order to cut costs, some background check firms use call centers in other countries, primarily India, to conduct employment and education verifications for clients.  Many employers and schools require the individual's social security number in order to complete the verification. Because many of those countries don't have the data protection laws that we enjoy in the US, the management and safe-keeping of that information can be suspect. CRA's displaying the "No Off-Shoring" logo have self-certified that they will avoid sending sensitive consumer information outside of the US whenever possible OR ensure that their clients and the consumers whose information they handle authorize the off-shoring of their information.

The responsible use of criminal records databases. Many background screening firms sell databases of criminal records that they refer to as "national" or "nationwide" databases. Many employers don't realize until too late that these databases miss most reportable criminal records and often associate criminal records with the wrong person. CRA's utilizing this seal have self-certified that they communicate the problems with relying on such databases to their clients and that they will verify all records before reporting them to an employer. (I am particularly proud of this self-certification because I was it's primary author.)

To most HR professionals, these certifications probably seem like no-brainers.

Of course you don't want your applicant's information being sent overseas without your knowledge.

Of course you want to be sure that the information you are receiving in your criminal background check is reliable.

By coming together with like-minded CRA's, we hope to nudge our industry towards making these no-brainers a reality.