The Renfrewshire Trusted Trader Scheme
Trusted Trader was launched by Dundee City Council Trading Standards in 2005. Its simple aim was to encourage local businesses to sign up to a code of practice that will give consumers confidence in the standard of service they expect to receive. The success of the scheme in Dundee has seen it become adopted across many different local authorities, all of which conform to the same standard Code of Practice.
Renfrewshire Trading Standards launched the Renfrewshire Trusted Trader Scheme in 2012, originally as part of the Council website. Then in June 2018 the scheme was migrated to the purpose built Scotland Trusted Trader platform, which incorporates many Trading Standards Trusted Trader Schemes.
The Renfrewshire Council Trusted Trader scheme is a local business partnership which aims to:
- increase consumer confidence
- promote good practice within local businesses
- help prevent doorstep crime. It is the only official trader scheme in Renfrewshire that is Council backed, fully vetted by Trading Standards and supported by Police Scotland.
The elements of the Renfrewshire Trusted Trader scheme
The Renfrewshire Trusted Trader Scheme is made up of Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Trading Standards Service and Trusted Directory Services (TDS).The Council back and oversee the scheme, with the vetting process carried out by Trading Standards Officers. Trading Standards also ensure Traders adhere to the Code of Practice and will intervene in disputes when required.
TDS is responsible for scheme administration, customer service, assisting in dispute resolution and website development.