TrustMark launches new 
HI consumer panel
May 2019

A new independent Consumer Protection Council (CPC) of consumer experts has been formed by TrustMark, the Government-endorsed quality scheme, to ‘identify common challenges faced by consumers in the home improvements sector and to recommend ways to reduce detriment and enhance protection.’

The CPC aims to share knowledge, views and insight about the main problems experienced by consumers when employing traders to carry out work in and around their home, says the organisation.  It also seeks to define good practice in the repair, maintenance and improvement, energy efficiency and retrofit sectors and considers ways that TrustMark could provide solutions and minimise consumer detriment.

 The Council, chaired by TrustMark Non-Executive Consumer Director Julie Hunter, consists of stakeholder experts representing a range of independent consumer organisations. 

She said: “The creation of the Consumer Protection Council aims to provide fresh knowledge and insight about the consumer experience, to inform TrustMark’s work at a strategic level and to drive improvements across the sector for all consumers. CPC members from across the consumer landscape will work together to identify common challenges and achieve shared objectives.  We have a fantastic team who are passionate about consumer protection, and by working together, we are in a stronger position to influence positive change.  Consumers have a right to expect the best when employing tradespeople to work on their property –TrustMark continually strives to achieve this and ensures that consumer protection is at the heart of its vision and service delivery.”

The Consumer Protection Council is one of  several councils being developed to support the TrustMark Board with the strategic direction of the organisation, as well as providing strong collaborations and developments to serve the industry and consumer. 

It  comprises 15 different organisations, all of which were invited to join, and will meet three times a year.  They include Age UK, Alzheimer's Society, the Consumer and Public Interest Network (CPIN) at the British Standards Institution (BSI), Citizens Advice, Consumer Protection Partnership, Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), Electrical Safety First, Energy Savings Trust, Furniture Ombudsman/ Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, Institute of Consumer Affairs, Mind, National Consumer Federation (NCF), Resolver, National Trading Standards and Which?.
 
www.trustmark.org.uk