Local authority assured trader schemes

What are local authority assured trader schemes?

Many local authorities run assured trader schemes. They aim to give consumers a reliable way of finding trustworthy local businesses.

Businesses that sign up to the schemes get support and promotion from their local authority Trading Standards Services, in return for a promise that they will meet their legal obligations and treat their customers fairly.

Most schemes have been developed separately, and vary in the details of how they work. But all the Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network (LAATSN) member schemes have the common aims of:

• giving consumers a reliable way of finding businesses they can trust
• offering a source of help and advice if things go wrong
• enabling local businesses to demonstrate that they have signed up to national standards.

What is the Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network?

As the national champion of local authority Trading Standards Services, we are supporting a network of local authority local trader schemes which meet nationally agreed standards.

The Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network aims to bring greater consistency to local schemes, and to promote the value of local schemes to those who stand to benefit most - local consumers and businesses.

How is this Network different from other national schemes?

Empowering consumers to make informed choices when buying goods and services is a common aim across national and local governments. So there are several schemes designed to help consumers.

The schemes all aim to drive up business standards and boost customer confidence.

See which scheme will help me.

Who monitors the Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network?

The National Standards and Support Committee (NSSC) monitor LAATSN. The committee members are as follows:

1. Nicola Brown (Chair) - OFT representative
2. Wendy Martin  - LACORS representative
3. Paul Ramsden  - TSI representative
4. Paul Thomas - Trading Standards Services representative
5. Sue Marks - A consumer representative of the CCAS Advisory Group

The LAATSN Secretariat is managed by Nicola Brown and Elizabeth Yaroson.

Further information on the purpose, membership and conduct of business of the National Standards and Support Committee can be found in the Information and procedural guide for LAATSN scheme operators (pdf 64 kb).

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Elizabeth Yaroson at elizabeth.yaroson@oft.gsi.gov.uk or on 020 7211 8275.

If you have feedback on any aspect of LAATSN, please email laatsn@oft.gov.uk.

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