Trading Standards Approved

Setting the Standard

Trade Guide to the Scheme|

Consumer Guide to the Scheme| 

Trading Standards Approved  |List of Members| (new window)

 Application Form for Trading Standards Approved| (PDF document opens in new window)

 Members Feedback Report| (PDF document opens in new window)

Customer Feedback Online Form| (form opens in new window)

 Customer Feedback Report| (PDF document opens in new window)

Guidance Notes and Leaflets| (new window)

What is Trading Standards Approved?

Trading Standards Approved is a Bedfordshire Trading Standards Service initiative. The aim of the scheme is to improve business standards and increase customer confidence in member businesses. Approved businesses have agreed to abide by the terms and conditions of the scheme and have been checked by Trading Standards to ensure compliance.

Each year Bedfordshire Trading Standards Service receives in the region of nine thousand complaints about businesses in the County. By far the highest proportion of these relates to car sales, car servicing and the businesses associated with home improvements. This scheme is a positive move to improve the way in which traders deal with consumers. There is no place in it for rogue traders who do not care for customer satisfaction or compliance with the law.

What is in it for you, the trader?

• Independent recognition of your business standards.
• Potential for increased business with consumers encouraged to use local traders.
• TSA membership certificate for display and use of the scheme’s logo.
• Pre-entry vetting to make sure your business meets the scheme’s high standards.
• Promotion of your company as a TSA business with your company name on the Trading Standards Approved list and on the County Council website with a hotlink to your company website.
• Improved consumer confidence in your business or service.

What is in it for you, the consumer?

Consumers can check with Trading Standards to see which businesses are members of the scheme before purchasing goods or services.

The scheme is voluntary. By joining the scheme businesses are demonstrating a commitment to customer care and fair-trading.

Trading Standards will continue to work closely with scheme members, and will carry out monitoring exercises to help make sure high standards are maintained.

Future of TSA in the new Unitary Authorities.

The decision to introduce two unitary authorities for Bedfordshire will have implications for all Council Services including Trading Standards Approved.

At this time no decision has been made regarding the long term future of the Scheme. It is our intention that the Scheme will continue in both the new authorities.

 Trading Standards is committed to actively recruiting new members and promoting the Scheme and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.   

 As soon as we have any further information we will write to all members to inform them. New members joining the Scheme, or existing members who want to renew their membership will only be charged on a pro rata basis up until 31^st March 2009.

How can I find out more?

You can contact Trading Standards on any of the following:

Tel: (01234) 228897
Fax: (01234) 228255
Email: business@bedscc.gov.uk|

Bedfordshire County Council
Trading Standards Service
County Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP