WAKEFIELD Council is joining with retail giants to ensure key trading laws are obeyed consitently across the country.
And it has been estimated the innovative scheme could save businesses up to £48m a year.
Boots, B&Q, Sainsbury’s and Tesco are just some of the names who will be testing the new Primary Authority partnerships with council regulators based in the c
ity and nationwide.
Shriti Vadera, minister for business, said: “The Primary Authority scheme is a big step forward that will save time and money for businesses and local authorities across the country.
“It will provide clear and consistent support for businesses, better protection for consumers, and a strong framework for local authorities to improve inspection and enforcement.”
The scheme, run by the Local Better Regulation Office, will be available to all businesses from April 2009, with the test phase running from October 2008 to March 2009.
Currently businesses can run the risk of prosecution – even if they follow official advice – if local inspectors disagree about how to interpret regulations.
The lack of consistency in local regulation can also result in discrepancies in protection for consumers, workers and the environment.
Under the scheme any business that trades across council boundaries can ask to register one local authority as its source of specialist advice about compliance with trading standards and environmental health regulations.
The partnership will mean better co-ordination of local inspection and enforcement activity.
Before local regulators start proceedings against a participating company, they will need to agree with its Primary Authority on a course of enforcement action that is consistent with advice previously given advice with LBRO helping to resolve any differences of opinion.
In the run-up to April 2009, LBRO will be working with key businesses and councils to develop the draft agreements and inspection plans.
The full article contains 308 words and appears in Wakefield Express City newspaper.
