Interest is growing in the consumer accreditation scheme‘ Trading Standards Approved’ from TrustMark and Trading Standards.
The national scheme, launched in November last year, gives assurance of a trader’ s compliance with standards set by both bodies. TrustMark initially worked with its primary authority partner, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading standards, to offer all TrustMark Registered Firms a scheme that gives them national recognition with local reassurance.
TrustMark chief executive officer Simon Ayers said:“ So what does Trading Standards Approved bring to the table? In a world unfortunately
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plagued by rogue traders, the work to bring an end to bad trading practices is never over. But accreditation provides a much needed safeguard to signpost consumers to the‘ right ones’ and protect them against rogues. It is our duty to change the industry for the better and protect both consumers and reputable tradespeople.”
Despite a drive to change the negative stereotype associated with tradespeople in the UK, research by AXA revealed that 60 % of homeowners still think that it’ s fair to brand tradespeople with the term‘ cowboy builder’ or‘ rogue trader’.
Trust needs be earned, and whilst personal recommendations from loved ones is still a popular
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way to find a tradesperson you can trust, we know it’ s not always possible to find one you need that’ s local. More and more people nowadays are looking for accreditations for firms to show their quality of workmanship and build a positive name for themselves. Simon said:“ We wanted to deliver something that is not just another‘ badge’ or sticker for tradespeople to add to their vans, but adds real value for them, and shows potential customers that the firm not only complies with Trust- Mark’ s set standards of quality of workmanship, but understands fair trading practices and has all the correct documentation and insurances in place. The firm will have successfully completed Intelligence |
and DBS checks to attain this status.
“ We have already received significant interest in the scheme. With Trading Standards Approval, firms also receive access to Trust- Mark’ s‘ Business Support Booklet’, devised in partnership with Buckinghamshire
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and Surrey Trading Standards. This provides legislative support to firms to make it that bit easier to stay compliant and improve clarity between themselves and customers when it comes to giving quotes, invoicing and writing fair cancellation policies.”
If you are interested in learning more about how Trading Standards Approved could improve your business or would like to apply online, you can do so by visiting www. trustmark. org. uk / trading-standards. Alternatively, you can contact a member of the in-house team at tradingstandardsapproved @ trustmark. org. uk or call 0333 555 0352.
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