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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/jun/18/consumer-codes-scheme-customer-confidence
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| Consumer codes scheme aims to improve customer confidence | Consumer codes scheme aims to improve customer confidence |
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| Rogue traders who break the law by ripping off customers with sub-standard work and shoddy services face unlimited fines and even imprisonment under a UK-wide scheme to improve industry self-regulation. | Rogue traders who break the law by ripping off customers with sub-standard work and shoddy services face unlimited fines and even imprisonment under a UK-wide scheme to improve industry self-regulation. |
| The Consumer Codes Approval Scheme from the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) aims to give customers greater confidence in trade associations and business organisations which operate codes of practice, and replaces a scheme run by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). | The Consumer Codes Approval Scheme from the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) aims to give customers greater confidence in trade associations and business organisations which operate codes of practice, and replaces a scheme run by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). |
| Nine industry codes currently exist, covering sectors such as the motor industry, solar power, mobility aids and debt, but areas which dominate consumer complaints and are likely to be added in the near future are double glazing, furniture and travel. | Nine industry codes currently exist, covering sectors such as the motor industry, solar power, mobility aids and debt, but areas which dominate consumer complaints and are likely to be added in the near future are double glazing, furniture and travel. |
| Among the biggest is Motor Codes, which has operated the government approved codes of practice for new car sales and servicing since 2008. It was the first OFT-approved code and covers more than half of the 15,000 businesses that subscribe to all of TSI's approved codes. | Among the biggest is Motor Codes, which has operated the government approved codes of practice for new car sales and servicing since 2008. It was the first OFT-approved code and covers more than half of the 15,000 businesses that subscribe to all of TSI's approved codes. |
| Traders flouting the codes and found to be breaking the law face fines of up to £5,000 and six months in prison when dealt with in the magistrates' courts, or unlimited fines and up to two years in prison in more serious cases referred to the crown courts. | Traders flouting the codes and found to be breaking the law face fines of up to £5,000 and six months in prison when dealt with in the magistrates' courts, or unlimited fines and up to two years in prison in more serious cases referred to the crown courts. |
| The move forms part of the government's review of existing consumer legislation, which includes the draft consumer rights bill, which should become law in 2014. | The move forms part of the government's review of existing consumer legislation, which includes the draft consumer rights bill, which should become law in 2014. |
| TSI's 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." | TSI's 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." |
| He said the TSI would not be afraid to tackle some of the biggest industries that cause the greatest problems to consumers. "We are confident more members will come on board as they recognise the power of the TSI Consumer Codes Approval Scheme logo in attracting consumers to their business." | He said the TSI would not be afraid to tackle some of the biggest industries that cause the greatest problems to consumers. "We are confident more members will come on board as they recognise the power of the TSI Consumer Codes Approval Scheme logo in attracting consumers to their business." |
| Baroness Crawley of Edgbaston, chair of the newly created Consumer Codes Approval Board, responsible for independently evaluating the codes of practice operated by trade bodies, said: "Industry is well placed to understand the demands and expectations of their customers, but those consumers need the added confidence that industry codes of practice have been verified as fit for purpose by an independent body." | Baroness Crawley of Edgbaston, chair of the newly created Consumer Codes Approval Board, responsible for independently evaluating the codes of practice operated by trade bodies, said: "Industry is well placed to understand the demands and expectations of their customers, but those consumers need the added confidence that industry codes of practice have been verified as fit for purpose by an independent body." |
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