What sort of organisations can become scheme operators for TrustMark?
• Trade associations (which would assess and monitor firms in a single trade sector, such as plumbing, painting and decorating etc). • Independent certification bodies (which can assess firms from a wide range of trades). • Commercial organisations and companies that operate an ‘approved contractor’ panel. • Local Authorities which have decided to run their own local scheme through Trading Standards. What standards are expected of scheme operators? Scheme operators have to prove to the TrustMark Board that they have a demonstrated commitment to raising standards in the industry. You must be able to show that you can manage the scheme impartially, with no commercial conflicts of interest or anything that might jeopardise consumer confidence. You must also have the financial strength and resources, and the administrative and technical capability, to operate the proposed scheme, plus quality accreditation or certification for your systems and processes. Beyond this, we look at everything
