As an approved trader you are required to publicise that you are a member of the Buy With Confidence Scheme and will have permission to use the BWC logo.
In addition to the original BWC roundel logo, a design incorporating the words ‘Trading Standards Approved’ in the form of a stamp is available for scheme members to use.
Both logos have been created to achieve a strong identity for the scheme and as such must not be re-drawn, re-shaped or altered in any way. The logo should always be presented as large as comfortably possible in order to gain maximum benefit from the brand.
The logo can only be produced in the colour format or in greyscale as provided by your scheme operators and must not be added to any other device, drawing or graphic.
The logo and wording may be scaled up or down but must retain the relative proportions as supplied. It should not be scaled down to the extent that any part becomes illegible taking into account the media in which it is reproduced.
Permission to use the logo does not confer any interest in the intellectual property rights associated with the scheme, which shall at all times remain the property of the Trade Mark holder.
Permitted Use Of The Logo
The BWC logo can only be used in association with your business to demonstrate membership of the scheme and must not be used in association with specific goods or services unless expressly authorised by the managing authority.
If businesses intend to use the BWC logo on product packaging, they must demonstrate how they will show the scheme membership applies to the business and is not specific approval for that product.
We will be provide you with a copy of the Buy With Confidence logo which incorporates the Trading Standards Approved stamp design in an electronic image file, which can be used in the following ways:
- On your business stationery (e.g. letterheads).
- In your advertising or promotional literature
- On your business website
- On your business premises and vehicles
We may provide the BWC logo in a format which does not incorporate the Trading Standards Approved stamp design but does include promotional wording; in general this will be the phrase ‘Trading Standards Approved’. Any such wording may only be used in close proximity to and in association with the BWC logo or in conjunction with the words ‘Buy With Confidence’.
We will provide you with a membership certificate and may also provide you with pre-printed materials (subject to availability) including.
- Vehicle and glazing stickers
- Promotional material
- Branded feedback forms
The ‘Trading Standards Approved’ stamp logo must never be used on its own and must always be displayed in conjunction with the trade marked Buy With Confidence roundel logo.
Restrictions On Use
In the case of approval being limited to a specific branch or branches of a business, specified activities or business areas within a larger organisation, the logo shall only be used in close association with those parts of the organisation which have been audited and approved by us. In such circumstances we will require you to agree additional restrictions and you should seek our advice as to how to comply with the permitted use. In some circumstances it may not be possible to extend an offer of membership to limited parts of one organisation if the risk as to the extent of membership is deemed unacceptably high risk of causing consumer detriment or bringing the BWC scheme and/or its members into disrepute.
Authorisation by a local authority or the Buy With Confidence Partnership to use the BWC logo does not give any implied right to use any other local authority logo, badge or sign as used by that or any other local authority or Trading Standards Regional Group.
You must not use the logo until you have been given written permission to do so. Use of the logo prior to approval of membership may result in your application being rejected and/or legal action. If you either leave the scheme or have your membership terminated or suspended* by us your right to use the logo will be removed. *Or subject to certain written conditions of use.
You must therefore not use the logo other than as permitted and to do so may result in you committing a criminal offence.
Promotional Wording
If you wish to use the BWC logo that does not incorporate the Trading Standards Approved stamp design you are permitted to use the phrase ‘Trading Standards Approved’, and, we may at our discretion agree other promotional wording, but you should discuss this with us. We will decline to approve any promotional wording which misleads as to the nature of the scheme, your status as a member or is detrimental to the brand and reputation of the scheme.
Termination Of Membership
When applying the logo or wording to your stationery, adverts, vehicles etc. please remember that if your membership of the Scheme should end for any reason, permission to use the logo and statements will be revoked with immediate effect. All certificates and documentation indicating membership of the scheme shall be returned to the authority within 14 days.
This may also result in your business having to amend adverts; vehicle livery etc. The Administering Authority/Buy With Confidence will not accept any responsibility or liability for costs incurred in doing so.
All certificates and documentation indicating membership of the scheme shall remain the property of the scheme operator and/or the Buy With Confidence Partnership, and shall be returned in the event that membership ends. Customers responding to advertisements on the basis of the logo, e.g. via Yellow Pages, must be informed of the withdrawal of approval.
Should you continue to use the logo and/or the words ‘Trading Standards Approved’ after your membership has been terminated, whilst your membership is suspended, or because you have left the scheme for any other reason, you may be committing a criminal offence.
The Trade Mark owner, its agents and/or licensees reserve the right to take such legal action as it deems necessary to protect its ownership of the logo and materials associated with the Buy With Confidence scheme and brand.
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