We are experts in fair trading and employ Trading Standards professional that award Trading Standards Approved accreditation to businesses. Trading Standards Approved is the standard that qualifying businesses can use to promote themselves, having been vetted then checked, by at least one Trading Standards Service and approved by trading standards professionals. This is operated in accordance with the Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network  (LAATSN) standard, which is incorporated into the code of practice that businesses are committed too and sets out the requirements for treat customers fairly and in accordance with the law. Businesses must strive to continuously deliver excellence in customer service and resolve any disputes should they arise.

Derek Payet has 28 years experience working in Trading Standards Services.  He was employed in senior management positions at Wirral Council s for the past 15 years, most recently as Head of the Trading Standards Service.   Derek joined Business Approval Ltd. in March 2016 but maintains strong links with Trading Standards Services.  He remains a member of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and is an elected member of the North West Branch of CTSI.  

Derek has a wealth of experience in fair trading including a one year secondment with the Department of Business Innovation and Skills where he worked with Regulators at a senior level to support business growth.

Peter Juniper has over 14 years of experience of managing bespoke applications for local government.  The sister company, Siteon Ltd, is currently working with 50 Trading Standards Services, as well as Animal Health, Social Services, Youth Services and Education departments across the UK.

Since 2005, Peter has been working with Trading Standards Services to look at ways of helping vulnerable consumers find reliable home improvement traders such as builders, plumbers, electricians and gardeners. He developed a platform where each individual Council could run their own scheme under their own brand, using their own terms and conditions. This Trader Register platform has delivered benefits to over 4.5 million consumers.

Business Approval Ltd.  is committed to promoting honest and reliable businesses that meet and maintain the high standards, as set out in the Code of Practice and Customer Charter, supporting Trading Standards Services, local community groups and the partner agencies in signposting those that don’t know of a business they can trust to the Business Approval Register.