Trading Standards Approval Scheme

gazza — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 08:29:02 +0000

Trading Standards Approval Scheme gazza Thu, 05/12/2019

TrustMark and Trading Standards offers additional level of consumer protection and trade accreditation. Following on from the recent inclusion in the ECO3 regulations, TrustMark, the only Government Endorsed Quality Scheme, is offering an additional level of consumer protection and trade accreditation to both householders and tradespeople looking to do any repair, maintenance or improvement work in or around the home.

In partnership with Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards, the two government organisations are delivering the ‘Trading Standards Approval’ scheme to help consumers gain confidence when looking to employ a trader. The scheme is an accreditation that reassures and protects homeowners that the firm they employ to work in their home complies with TrustMark Government-endorsed quality for workmanship, understands fair trading practices and has consumer protection as an integral part of their business.

The scheme, which is being delivered by local authorities across the UK, gives firms local reassurance with national recognition. It also provides firms with further credibility that they are reputable and have a solid trading history as customers will know they have been thoroughly checked and approved by both Trading Standards and TrustMark to use this accreditation.

Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark, said: “With rising consumer expectations, homeowners are seeking higher levels of service and quality workmanship, resulting in tradespeople having to meet and deliver better standards of work and customer service for every job they do. The Trading Standards Approved scheme isn't just another 'badge' to add to a firm’s website, van and marketing materials, it's an investment offering great benefits - consumers like the added confidence when seeing businesses that have been ‘approved’ directly by Trading Standards and businesses want to provide a clear message that they can be trusted and relied on.”

Steve Ruddy, Head of Service Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards, added: "We are keen to help residents find reputable traders to work in their homes. We are proud to work with TrustMark to provide this reassurance to residents and to support local businesses. I think it’s a great example of how organisations can work in partnership to deliver more.”

To join the scheme, firms will need to be TrustMark registered and then they will be able to apply to TrustMark to complete the necessary checks in order to gain the approved accreditation. Trading Standards will carry out a background check, and subject to passing[MME1] [g2] [g3] these safeguards, the firm will then be accredited with trading standards approved status.

The cost of becoming Trading Standards Approved through TrustMark is £90 + VAT per year and is in addition to any Scheme Provider fee.

For further information about TrustMark and the services it offers, visit www.trustmark.org.uk

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Trading Standards Approval Scheme

Government Endorsed Quality Scheme

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TrustMark and Chartered Trading Standards Institute join forces further to improve consumer protection and confidence

gazza — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +0000

TrustMark and Chartered Trading Standards Institute join forces further to improve consumer protection and confidence

gazza Thu, 23/02/2017

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

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