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"Out of about 194, we estimate about 33 are bona fide dating agencies," said SDU deputy director Anna Goh-Boon. The rest could be social escort or "foreign bride" agencies.
To separate genuine matchmakers from the seedy ones in the dating industry — which targets half a million singles here — SDU has rolled out an accreditation framework for dating agencies and practitioners.
The framework, announced last November, lays down a code of conduct and standards for those who want an SDU Trust Mark. Those awarded the Trust Mark will be listed on the registries set up by SDU early next year.
"The accreditation puts a professional stamp on the industry," said National University of Singapore sociologist, Associate Professor Paulin Straughan, also chair of the accreditation council.
"Some dating agencies are like foreign brides agencies or social escorts, and this makes people cautious about seeking life partners from such firms," she said.
"Accreditation will give agencies recognition," said Ms Goh-Boon. "Also, what agencies struggle with most is building up their database, so SDU will refer its members to the accredited agencies. And we have about 32,500 members."
The council will look at areas, such as daily business operations, before awarding the Trust Mark.
Agencies and practitioners will have to go through a training programme — developed together with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency — before they can apply for the mark. The course, to be subsidised by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, is slated to begin in November.
The programme will have one or two modules — each costing between $200 and $300. There will also be a one-time application fee of $50.
Accreditation has to be renewed after two years, during which SDU will conduct informal inspections to ensure compliance. Those found to be in breach risk being blacklisted.
At least four agencies will begin the accreditation process this year.
Ms Violet Lim, co-founder of Lunch Actually, one of the participating agencies, said: "During the two years we have been operating, a lot of agencies have come and gone, and it's bad for the industry because consumers just see us as being fly-by-night operators. So, accreditation is really going to benefit us."
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