Suffolk Trusted Trader vetting process
All traders have been individually vetted by Suffolk Trusted Trader. This will ensure all members:
- meet the high standards as required by the scheme
- legally declare any and all information they have given is correct
- agree to conform to the Suffolk Trusted Trader Code of Practice. All members are required to generate customer reviews during their membership giving consumers a means to make a judgement based on other people's feedback.
- search for previous complaints and intelligence reports within Suffolk Trading Standards' own databases
- check the national Citizens Advice Consumer Service complaints databases
- search for any ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) adjudications against the applicant or their websites
- check the applicant is not going into liquidation
- search Health & Safety Executive Public Register of Enforcement Notices
- carry out an open web search for any negative history relating to the applicant
- inspect the applicant’s documents ensuring there are no unfair terms and the wording is legal and clear
- check compliance with the Companies Act legislation
- check business website compliance
- check business social media compliance
- check any submitted reviews to ensure they are authentic
- check membership of any advertised trade associations
- ensure compliance of any trade association code of practice.
- check any special licences claimed
- check that the business has adequate health and safety procedures in place
- check Companies House Director Report
- check Disqualified Director register
- search for any ASA adjudications against proprietor
- confirm applicant has public liability insurance and any required employer liability or professional indemnity insurances
- perform a soft credit search
- if required a face-to-face interview at the applicant's premises including inspection of any requested documentation
- ensure business owner understands and meets the Suffolk Trusted Trader Code of Practice. If you would like more information about the vetting process or have any questions, please contact us.
- quality of workmanship
- financial status of a trader (we do check whether a trust deed is in existence or the member has been declared bankrupt in the last six years and sometimes require a credit report)
- criminal record (although in some cases we may ask for evidence of this).
Suffolk Trusted Trader perform a number of checks on the applicant's business as well as the business owner(s), and directors as applicable.
Failure of some parts of the vetting process will mean an applicant is excluded from joining. In this case full details, along with any required changes, will be given to the applicant who may be asked to apply again in the future.
Failing other parts of the vetting process does not automatically mean an applicant is excluded from joining the scheme. Suffolk Trusted Trader will give advice and try to assist applicants to comply with the scheme standards, allowing them time to make improvements before continuing the application process.
Applicants that decide to withhold information or fail to answer any questions honestly, may be investigated and appropriate action taken.
Business checks
A number of checks will be carried out by Trading Standards, they will:Business owner checks
Trading Standards will also conduct checks into the business owner, they will:If you are a Suffolk based business who would like join the scheme, you can start the application process by selecting the following link: apply to join.
Limitations of the Suffolk Trusted Trader scheme - information for residents
Whilst we have put in place as many measures as we can to protect you, neither Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Trading Standards, Suffolk Trusted Trader nor Trusted Directory Services Ltd are directly involved in any agreement between you and the member, so we cannot be held liable if things go wrong.Suffolk Trusted Trader have not checked, prior to approval to the scheme, the following: