Why should I apply for membership to the Business Approval Register?

Members of the Business Approval Register are part of a unique partnership with Business Approval and trading standards services. Business Approval offers high level, quality business support and promotion of business who can measure up to the required high standards. Membership brings with it a range of benefits (see member benefits)  including qualified use of the logo, business support, promotion to consumers and assistance with any business or consumer issues. Business Approval work in partnership with local authorities and build on many good examples of how companies can deliver enhanced and sustainable services that support businesses, develop business growth and promote consumer confidence.

How is the Business Approval Register different to a trade association?

Trade Associations, perhaps historically known as Guilds are business focused associations providing professional services to businesses. The Business Approval Register brand, whilst offering a valuable, high quality service to businesses, is fundamentally based on stimulating consumer confidence in trustworthy businesses. In order to build that confidence, there has to be an assessment of the businesses in the marketplace offering goods and services. A customer who has a good customer experience will not only return in the future, but will share the message and further increase confidence in reputable businesses. With a comprehensive assessment and audit at the outset, and ongoing monitoring and support, we aim to provide the platform to give consumers confidence in selecting businesses to supply them with goods or services. We will actively promote businesses who secure membership status, and assist any member in resolving an issue with their customers giving confidence to members that they are treating their customers fairly.

What do you do in the assessment and audit process?

We will check the history and location of your business as well as conducting a financial check, director history, public and employer liability insurance, customer complaints history, any standard terms and conditions used as well as considering your customer contracts, any professional memberships or certifications and verification of your trading and residential premises.

Do you need to visit my premises?

It is important that we know where all members of the Register are situated. We will conduct random visits and risk based inspections throughout the course of your membership. If your registered trading address is your home, we will visit you there. We will contact you to make an appointment before any visit takes place.

How will I be monitored if I become a Member?

Business Approval works on the premise that the best people to review and monitor the goods and services provided are the customers themselves. This means that a fundamental part of the monitoring process is based upon the customer feedback provided by your customers.

We will ensure that Trading Standards Services, community and our partner agencies remain satisfied with our membership. Every consumer who obtains details of a member from the website or one of our partners is encouraged to leave feedback on their customer experience. The feedback received is audited before being published on our website providing a feedback rating for members. Anonymous feedback is not published, and we conduct random checks to ensure that all feedback provided is genuine. False information will be removed and fraudulent use of the feedback facility will lead to membership being revoked. Personal customer information is not published, however should negative feedback be received, we will seek authority to discuss the issue with the member in an effort to resolve the issue prior to publication.

Can I use sub-contractors?

Members are permitted to use sub-contractors but as a member you must accept responsibility for any work carried out. If you do use sub-contractors, we would encourage you to ensure that they are also a member of the Business Approval Register.   Customers should be informed of your intention to use sub-contractors.

What happens if a customer complains about me?  

As indicated above, we do not as a matter of course publish negative feedback without first seeking to assist in resolution of the issue between the member and your customer. If an issue cannot be resolved by intervention at this stage, then we would expect you to deal with the matter in accordance with your complaints protocol. Should this not resolve the matter then the complaint would be escalated and handled by us via the complaints protocol set out in the code of practice. This forms part of the important membership benefits. Difficult or complex matters may be referred to our Governance Board. If the matter is resolved, the customer will have the opportunity to amend their initial feedback. If you make no attempt to resolve the issue then the feedback may be published, and this may affect your membership term or renewal.

What happens if a customer makes an unjustified complaint?

Whenever a complaint is received, you will have an opportunity to seek resolution to the satisfaction of all parties. If this cannot be achieved, then you can use the complaints procedure set out in the Members Handbook. You will have the right to respond to any feedback provided where a resolution has not been achieved.

If I get approved, can I pay my subscription monthly?

Membership subscriptions are payable annually.