ABC has successfully completed its first retail media audit, with Albert Heijn, the Dutch retailer, becoming the first Retail Media Network (RMN) to achieve certification under the IAB Europe Retail Media Certification Programme.
The IAB Europe Retail Media Certification Programme, launched in October 2024, sets industry standards for transparency, fairness and accountability in retail media measurement. ABC has been appointed by IAB Europe as an approved auditor for the programme, and is also the exclusive auditor for the IAB UK Gold Standard - Retail Media. With Europe’s retail media market projected to reach around £27 billion by 2028, the programme arrives at a defining moment for digital advertising, emphasising the need for trusted comparable metrics.
Albert Heijn’s successful certification highlights the value of indepen0dent auditing and sets a benchmark for other Retail Media Networks across Europe.
Rolf Oosterhoff, Head of Retail Media Services, commented:
“We are very proud that Albert Heijn is the first Retail Media Network to be certified against the IAB Europe Retail Media Standards. This certification underlines our commitment to transparency and effectiveness in retail media. It’s an important milestone for us, but also for the industry as a whole, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners to further professionalise and grow retail media.”
Jan Pitt, Commercial Director, ABC, said:
We’re delighted to have partnered with the Albert Heijn team to deliver the programme’s first certification and a clear reference point for the market. Our audit verified how onsite metrics are defined, captured, and reported by testing the methodology, data flows, and evidence behind the numbers—giving advertisers and retail media networks the confidence to trade on independently verified metrics.”
Marie-Clare Puffett, IAB Europe’s Industry Development & Insights Director said:
“The completion of this first pilot audit by Albert Heijn and ABC marks a major milestone in the rollout of the programme. The process has provided valuable insights that will further enhance IAB Europe’s Retail Media Measurement Standards and certification framework, ensuring they remain practical, robust, and aligned with the needs of the Retail Media ecosystem. ABC’s role as the first auditor to deliver a certification also demonstrates the importance of trusted, independent verification in building confidence in this fast-growing sector. We look forward to engaging more retailers in this programme.”
Learn more about ABC’s audit services for IAB Europe Retail Media Certification programme and IAB UK Gold Standard for Retail Media.
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For further information contact:
ABC Press Office
01442 200788
www.abc.org.uk
About ABC
ABC is an independent industry-owned auditor, structured to deliver impartial and trusted assurance services.
Our audit programmes underpin a range of industry standards and bespoke requirements globally. With a wealth of experience, our teams are expert in areas such as retail media, brand safety, data privacy, ad fraud, and TV measurement.
As a non-profit distributing organisation, value for money is built into our core, as we focus on delivering excellent audit services that address industry needs.
ABC is one of three IAB Europe-appointed auditors, and the exclusive auditor for the IAB UK Gold Standard- Retail Media, we help Retail Media Networks, AdTech platforms, and advertisers ensure accuracy, consistency, and transparency in measurement.
About IAB Europe
IAB Europe is the European-level association for the digital marketing and advertising ecosystem. Through its membership of National IABs and media, technology and marketing companies, its mission is to lead political representation and promote industry collaboration to deliver frameworks, standards and industry programmes that enable businesses to thrive in the European market.
About IAB Europe’s Retail & Commerce Media Committee
The Retail & Commerce Media Committee is a multi-stakeholder group that aims to increase understanding of the retail media and commerce advertising ecosystem, enable cross-stakeholder initiatives, and develop standards, particularly in the area of metrics and measurement, so that retail advertising in Europe can thrive.
For more information, please contact:
Lauren Wakefield
Marketing & Communications Director, IAB Europe
- +44 (0) 7828 514 193
