Posted: 3 November, 2011. Written by Ciaran Burns
The OFT have today granted the REAL Assurance Scheme full approval under the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS). The OFT only approve codes that have proved effective in safeguarding and protecting consumers interestes going further than the basic requirments of the law.
Cavendish Elithorn, Senior Director of the OFT's Goods and Consumer Group said: 'The renewable energy sector is a relatively new market and is growing rapidly as people look for more cost effective and environmentally friendly energy sources.'
'It is important that people making such an important purchase can do so confidently and the approval of the REAL code is part of the OFT's commitment to help people investing in renewable energy technologies. People who buy goods or services from a business with an OFT approved code can expect a higher standard of protection than that required by law.'
Virginia Graham, Chief Executive of REAL, said: 'We work hard to ensure all our members comply with our Code. Gaining OFT Code approval will help us enormously to drive the highest professional standards in our sector. We act on the complaints and tip-offs we receive to inform the monitoring and enforcement we do. This year we have audited, compliance checked and mystery shopped 1,000 companies. If companies do not meet our standards, we will investigate promptly and will impose sanctions.'
REAL members that renew their membership for 2012 will be permitted to display the OFT logo, details will be sent with their renewal documents.
For mor information on the Code, CCAS and the OFT follow this link here.