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OFT advises consumers to look for the OFT approved code logo

33/08    4 March 2008

March is Consumer Codes Awareness Month, and the OFT is advising consumers to look for businesses displaying the OFT Approved code logo when buying goods and services.

The logo means that the business is a member of a trade body with a code of practice approved by the OFT which offers consumers a higher level of customer service than required by law. Consumers can use the postcode search facility on the OFT website to look for businesses in their area. Visit the codes area for more information.

The campaign will run throughout March and will help consumers to learn more about the benefits of using a business signed up to an OFT Approved code. When consumers see the OFT Approved code logo they can be confident that the business:

• is committed to treating their customers fairly should any problems arise
• will give clear information about the goods or services they are selling including clear and concise information on cancellation rights, and
• will have formal procedures for dealing with consumer complaints, with access to a conciliation service and an independent redress scheme if the business' own complaints procedure does not resolve an issue.

Colin Brown, OFT's Policy Director, said:

'Businesses displaying an OFT Approved logo are following a code of practice that meets our challenging standards. Consumers can be confident that if things go wrong they'll be protected by effective complaints and redress procedures.'

NOTES 

1. The OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme consists of two stages. During Stage One the code must meet the OFT's published core criteria, which contain measures designed to remove or ease consumer concerns about undesirable trading practices. In Stage Two the code sponsor must prove that its code lives up to the promises made in Stage One by demonstrating that the code is being effectively implemented by its members and that consumer disputes are being properly resolved. Only once the two stage process is complete can businesses display the OFT Approved code logo.

2. The Enterprise Act 2002 gives the OFT powers to approve and promote consumer codes of practice that meet the OFT's core criteria. The OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme aims to promote and safeguard consumers interests by helping consumers identify better businesses and to encourage businesses to raise their standards of customer service.

3. The Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) received approval for its code on 27 September 2004 (see press release 153/04), the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association Ltd (VBRA) received approval on 13 October 2004 (see press release 169/04), the Direct Selling Association (DSA) received approval on 16 December 2004 (see press release 209/04), the Ombudsman for Estate Agents Company Ltd (OEA) received approval on 8 September 2005 (see press release 170/05), the Carpet Foundation received approval on 2 January 2007 (see press release 01/07), Robert Bosch Ltd (Bosch) received approval on 9 July 2007 (see press release 98/07) and the British Association of Removers received approval on 22 February 2008 (see press release 26/08). Code sponsors who have completed Stage One and are working towards approval of their consumer code are: MVRA Ltd (see press release 09/05), Debt Managers Standards Association (DEMSA) (see press release 121/05), Safebuy (see press release 37/06), British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) (see press release 108/06) and the Renewable Energy Association (see press release 160/07).

4. The March 2008 awareness campaign message 'Buy with confidence when you see this sign' is being advertised on radio, posters and buses in the targeted areas of Yorkshire and Humberside, East of England, South East (including some activity in London), South West and Northern Ireland. The remaining areas of the UK were targeted in March 2007 so, between the two campaigns, the whole of the UK will now have been covered.

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