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Business Support
Sale of Goods Act
Distance Selling Hub
Consumer Credit Licence
Website
Environmental Claims
Relevant Links
Business Support
We offer free impartial business support and advice
to help new and existing businesses in Suffolk to flourish.
Online advice and information for many retail-based businesses can
be obtained through
ERWIN
(Everything Regulation Whenever It's Needed). ERWIN provides you
with a list of relevant and prioritised advice packs in accordance
with your business type.
If you are in the non-retail sector, or need further business
advice, you are welcome to contact us by telephone at 01473 264859
or by email at
tradingstandards@suffolk.gov.uk
Sale of Goods Act
Hub
The Office of Fair Trading has produced an online
hub specifically aimed at retail staff to help you to understand
the law on customer returns.
SOGA hub contains a variety of materials suited
to different requirements: from detailed explanations and examples
to
at-a-glance flow charts (261k) to guide you and your team
through customers’ rights and how to deal with returns and
complaints.
There are many training materials and downloads available at the
SOGA hub. Below are few example downloads.
In session Training (1122k)
Quick Quiz (976k)
Distance Selling Hub
The Office of Fair Trading has also produced an
online hub designed to inform retailers and consumers
about the distance selling regulations.
It includes a variety of information, from flowcharts to
scenarios.
For more information visit the
Distance Selling Hub.
Consumer Credit Licence
Under the Consumer Credit Act, businesses that offer goods or
services on credit or lend money or are involved in activities
relating to credit or hire must be licensed by the OFT. The OFT has
a duty to protect the interests of consumers by monitoring the
fitness of those holding or applying for licences.
The OFT have announced from 11 April 2011, the fees for a consumer
credit licence will increase; for details of these changes visit
the
OFT.
Advice if you have your own website
Read our
website guide (25K), if advertise or sell goods online.
Environmental Claims and Excessive Packaging
Businesses need to be aware of the
language for promoting the "green" aspect of their products.
DEFRA produce guidance to green claims, this and more
information can be found here.
Relevant Links
Office of Fair
Trading
This section of the Office of Fair Trading's website provides you
with a quick guide to the main rules covering how you sell, how you
treat your customers, how you compete, and how you can protect your
business from scams. You can also find information about the
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations Act 2008 at
http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/small_businesses/competing/protection
Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills undertakes a
variety of roles, including responsibility for policy relating to
small businessess, supporting businesses, investing in skills
and promoting innovation and enterprise in the UK.
Health and Safety
Executive
The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the regulation
and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare.
Trading Standards
Institute
Summary of
safety leaflets