ABTA has partnered with Kent County Council to help ensure its members comply with trading standards requirements.
It has signed what is known as a ‘Primary Authority’ partnership with the local council, which has signed off ABTA’s Code of Conduct and Guidance on the Code of Conduct as ‘assured advice’.
This means that as long as members follow this advice, they can be confident that they are complying with the law.
It also means the members won’t risk facing unnecessary investigation by other trading standards authorities.
Any other authority must notify Kent Trading Standards if they intend to take action against an ABTA member but this will stop if it conflicts with the ‘Primary Authority’ advice.
Simon Bunce, ABTA director of legal services, said: "ABTA members should be greatly reassured that as long as they follow the advice given in the ABTA Code of Conduct and Guidance on the Code, they will be abiding by all relevant laws and should be protected from potential prosecution from their local trading standards office, if an issue arises that is specifically covered in the advice."
There are no additional costs to members for this new partnership. Further information on how Primary Authorities work can be found by clicking here.
