Buy With Confidence is designed to improve the information available to persons seeking reliable businesses by offering a list of businesses and individuals audited by Trading Standards.
It is not a pre-contractual requirement for businesses seeking contracts with local authorities or other bodies and does not guarantee access to such contracts.
Membership availability
Applications for membership will be considered from businesses based in all parts of the UK, although we reserve the right to reject or delay the processing of applications from businesses where it is difficult or impossible for us to arrange an audit visit to their premises.
We will also consider applications from businesses trading regionally or nationally, with multiple premises. We will consider each such application on its own merits and whilst we will expect that such applicants meet the terms and conditions of membership we will make appropriate arrangements to administer the application and membership which may differ from those referred to elsewhere on this website.
It is necessary to successfully pass the application process to gain membership.
Applications may be refused on the basis that the business activities are regarded as being unlawful, not in the wider community interest or in conflict with the well-being of customers.
Businesses must have been trading for a minimum of 6 (six) months prior to membership being granted. If you are a new business or only just starting working directly with individuals please contact us as we can help you get started.
Membership is subject to an audit designed to establish that the applicant meets the standards required by the scheme as set out in the Code of Conduct and the Terms and Conditions.
Fees
You will be required to pay fees as set out on the Costs page of the website – although local discounts/variations may be available. Fees for businesses operating regionally and nationally will be negotiable; please contact us on admin@buywithconfidence.gov.uk
The application process
Depending on the location of the business, the application process is carried out by the local authority in which the business is based, by the managing authority, or by the Buy With Confidence Central Hub, and as such there are some variations. However we will make it clear what information we expect from you, what we will do and the amount of any fees required.
We have a structured audit process in place to enable us to ensure we have assessed your business properly. However we recognise that each business is different, varying in size from individuals to regional and national groups, so we will ask you to explain how you work before we start.
We will expect you to show that you are able to meet the terms and conditions of Buy With Confidence. We will place particular emphasis on customer service and safety, plus compliance with applicable legislation
The Application Form
If possible, you should complete the online application form. However, if you would prefer to complete a printed form, please email admin@buywithconfidence.gov.uk to obtain one.
This form has been designed to capture information for a range of service providers who may be individuals, partnerships or limited companies. This means that some parts of the form may not be relevant to you. Please complete the sections that are relevant to you and put n/a in the sections that do not apply to you.
Notes on completing the form
These notes are numbered to match the relevant parts of the application form
2.Data Protection
Your personal data will be held and managed by the Buy With Confidence Partnership and the local authority in which your business is based, or the authority that is managing the scheme in your area.
Your personal data will be processed and stored by the local authority in accordance with their Data Protection statement, which will be published on their website.
If your application is processed by the Buy With Confidence Partnership, they will process and store your data in accordance with their Data Protection statement at How to Apply
You can only become an approved member of the scheme, with your details listed on the BWC website, after you provide all requested information and complete the full application process. We will make checks to verify the information that you provide.
3.Your details
We need to understand who you are and where we and prospective clients can contact you.
4. Advertising your business
We will check that any advertising complies with current legislation and guidance.
Once your membership has been approved you can include the BWC logo in advertising but it must be removed if you subsequently are no longer part of the scheme.
5.Ability to work in the UK
It is your responsibility to ensure that you and any staff are lawfully permitted to work in the UK.
We require that you state that you have checks in place to ensure that you can meet this responsibility.
Guidance on checking eligibility to work lawfully to work in the UK is available on the gov.uk website.
6.Criminal Records Checks
It is a requirement of the scheme that all applicants and staff to whom Clause 3.3 of the Terms and Conditions apply produce a Basic Disclosure Certificate.
If you have existing staff who do not have Disclosure Certificates and you intend that they should carry out the activities described in Clause 3.3 it would be sensible to discuss this requirement with them as you will need them to agree that you can apply for a Disclosure check.
If your business has procedures in place to ensure that staff or persons sub-contracted to you have Disclosure Certificates we will not need to see the individual certificates but will expect you to provide evidence that you can ensure that any person who carries out relevant activity has a current Certificate.
We have published guidance on the use of Disclosure Certificates. If you are applying for membership and you know that either you or one of your employees has previous convictions you should discuss this with us. We will assess all previous convictions on an individual case-by-case basis.
8.Terms & Conditions of Approval
Completing the application form is your agreement to allow us to carry out the searches and enquiries as shown.
On completing and returning the form we will make some initial checks based on the information you provide and in returning this form you give us permission to do so.
Click here for the Buy With Confidence Application form (opens in new window/tab)
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