Boost for consumer protection

THE Trading Standards Institute is to launch a scheme aimed at giving customers greater confidence in codes of practice operated by trade associations and business organisations. The Consumer Codes Approval Scheme will strengthen industry self-regulation through a set of requirements to offer enhanced consumer protection – including offering ombudsman or arbitration to resolve disputes, protect customer deposits and respect consumers in their own home.

TSI chief executive Leon Livermore said: “The government recognises the importance of this new scheme, which comes with an important sting in the tail. We will be reinforcing the fact that failure for any trader to comply with an industry code, whose logo they display, is a criminal offence for which they could face fines or imprisonment.”