First scheme operators for trustmark announced

Trade associations representing glaziers, damp proofing contractors, electricians and fencing specialists are among the first to be approved by TrustMark

Trade associations representing glaziers, damp proofing contractors, electricians and fencing specialists are among the first to have their vetting and monitoring systems and customer service standards approved by TrustMark, the new consumer protection initiative for the home repair and improvement sector.

Following last week's TrustMark Board meeting, five organisations have been accepted to become the first group of approved scheme operators for TrustMark: - Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) - the trade association for employers and companies within the flat glass, glazing, window, home improvement, plastics and applied window film industries in the UK.

* British Wood Preserving and Damp-Proofing Association (BWPDA) - the largest association of its kind in Europe, whose members tackle timber and damp problems including woodworm, dry rot and wet rot.

* National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) - a specialist trade association dedicated to monitoring the competence of all its members for electrical inspection, testing and system verification, and which also runs a Part P Competent Persons scheme for electricians.

* European Fencing Industry Association (EFIA) - a well-established association of fence designers, manufacturers and installers.

* AJA Registrars - an independent certification body that vets a wide range of traders for financial stability, technical competence, sound health and safety practices and other essential criteria.

A former leading participant in Quality Mark, AJA Registrars will be key to providing TrustMark registration to many former Quality Scheme firms.

Ian Livsey, chairman of TrustMark, said: "The Board congratulates these organisations for being the first off the mark to get in their applications and to satisfy our assessors that their schemes can deliver TrustMark's demanding consumer protection standards.

"All these applicants have shown the determination to be leaders in their particular sectors, and have willingly cooperated with us when we have requested any amendments to their systems and codes of practice.

They have embraced both the spirit and standards of TrustMark, and this means that the doors are now open for individual firms to become registered with TrustMark via these approved scheme operators." TrustMark is currently reviewing a further seven applications, including bids from the Federation of Master Builders, National Federation of Roofing Contractors, Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association and the Electrical Contractors' Association.

TrustMark will hold its first annual lunch on Monday 31 October, the first day of National Consumer Week, to celebrate the successful growth of TrustMark throughout the construction industry.

Ian Livsey will present TrustMark licences to all approved scheme operators and will welcome the close involvement of advice organisations and other intermediaries that are helping to provide additional access to the scheme for the general public and vulnerable groups.

This event will be the prelude to a sustained consumer awareness campaign over the following months.

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