Public Servant Lifestyle

The Carpet Foundation (CF) has become the first British trade body within the home furnishings sector to successfully secure Office of Fair Trading (OFT) approval for its code of practice under the OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS). The OFT only approves codes that have proved effective in safeguarding and promoting consumers interests beyond the basic requirements of the law.

The CF is a trade association for carpet manufacturers and retailers and currently has 1090 independent retailers known as 'Registered Specialists' whose sales make up over half of the independent sector, and a further 11 carpet manufacturers are also members.

Consumers will be able to look for the Carpet Foundation/OFT Approved code logo when purchasing a new carpet in order to gain the benefits of the approved code which include:

A range of free guarantees - including a two year guarantee against manufacturing faults for Carpet Foundation manufactured carpets - and a one year guarantee against installation faults where the Registered Specialist is responsible for the installation

An obligation on all members to use fair terms and conditions, including clear and concise information on cancellation rights, and a requirement on members to have in place satisfactory provisions for dealing with vulnerable consumers

Impartial pre-contractual information for customers including objective advice on a wide range of issues affecting performance, suitability, selection and installation of carpets, and clearly written quotes and terms of business

Protection of consumers' deposits by Carpet Foundation manufacturers, so that if the retailer ceases to trade, then Carpet Foundation members will fulfil the order at the original price agreed for carpets manufactured by CF members

Formal procedures for dealing with consumer complaints with a free conciliation service if a member's own complaints procedure does not resolve an issue, and an independent disciplinary panel to ensure that the code is complied with and effectively enforced

John Fingleton, OFT Chief Executive, said: "Consumers can be confident that where they see the OFT Approved code logo they will receive a high standard of customer service. I congratulate the Carpet Foundation on its work in driving up standards for consumers in the carpet sector."

The Carpet Foundation is a trade association for the carpet industry, and currently has 1090 independent retailers known as 'Registered Specialists' whose sales make up over half of the independent sector. The Carpet Foundation consumer code of practice covers the relationship between Registered Specialists and consumers in respect of carpets sold and installed by Registered Specialists to residential consumers. The Carpet Foundation membership also includes eleven manufacturer members.

The OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme consists of two stages. During Stage One the code must meet the OFT's published core criteria, which contain measures designed to remove or ease consumer concerns about undesirable trading practices. In Stage Two the code sponsor must prove that its code lives up to the promises made in Stage One by demonstrating that the code is being effectively implemented by its members and that consumer disputes are properly resolved.

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