Over the last 12 months The Chartered Institute of Trading Standards (CTSI) and TrustMark have been looking at ways in which they can deliver joint services to provide greater levels of consumer protection and confidence across the many trades delivering services in and around the home.
The two organisations, which have worked closely for many years, have looked at the gaps in the current markets and delivery systems and are fully motivated to create and deliver a collective approach to support both the CTSI Consumer Codes where required, as well as promote and deliver functional delivery schemes through the TrustMark Brand and its Scheme Operators. By working together, they can promote and highlight the existing and well recognised brands and combine compliance, audit and enforcement all within one collaboration.
The alliance will allow a new style of thinking on how to tackle some of the long term challenges in the sector with rogue traders and their operating practices. It will also enable further confidence and greater
levels of security to be developed for consumers when choosing a firm to work in or around their home. Together they can deliver a clear message to consumers that they are supported at all stages when engaging and using any business or trader from the partners schemes.
Leon Livermore, CEO of CTSI, added: “The approval landscape is confused for both consumers and businesses so it is important that we work with trusted partners to ensure that we are all working towards the same end result. Local Trading Standards Services do a huge amount to protect consumers and promote legitimate business and we hope that by working with TrustMark we can add real value to their work.”
Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark, said: “By joining forces with the CTSI, it both highlights our commitment and will to enhance consumer protection, encourage best practice and promote excellence and good standards nationally. Together we aim to achieve greater parity between the two organisations and to strike the right balance between reducing consumer detriment and making the standards workable across the industry.”
The CTSI and TrustMark have worked closely for many years and will build on the close synergy between the CTSI’s own Consumer Codes Approval Scheme and TrustMark’s core criteria - the Government-endorsed standards. Together they will support reputable and honest tradespeople and protect consumers in the decisions they make in order to help improve consumer confidence, reduce consumer
detriment and drive up industry standards in the repair, maintenance and improvement market.
For further information about TrustMark visit trustmark.org.uk and the CTSI tradingstandards.uk