Milton Keynes Trading Standards
Buy with Confidence’ a trader approval scheme
Application Guidance
Introduction
Thank you for contacting us about becoming a member of our Buy with Confidence scheme(BWC). Please read this introduction before completing the application form.
Buy With Confidence is designed to improve the information available to persons seekingreliable 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 orother bodies and does not guarantee access to such contracts.
Membership availability
Applications for membership will be considered from businesses based in the administrative area of local authorities currently operating BWC; these are shown on the website
We will also consider applications from businesses trading regionally or nationally. We will consider each such application on its own merits and whilst we will expect that such applicantsmeet the terms and conditions of membership we will make appropriate arrangements toadminister the application and membership.
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 months prior to membership being granted. If you are a new business or only just starting working directly with individuals pleasecontact 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 by your administering local authority which generally will be the Trading Standards authority in which your business is based.
The application process
The application process is carried out by the local authority in which your business is based or by the managing authority and as such there are some variations. However we will make it clearwhat information we expect from you, what we will do and the amount of any fees required.
We may use Trading Standards South East Ltd (TSSE Ltd) to carry out part of the administrationof the application process which may include the processing of application fees. TSSE Ltd is acompany operated by Trading Standards Services from councils across the south east ofEngland.
We have a structured audit process in place to enable us to ensure we have assessed yourbusiness properly. However we recognise that each business is different, varying in size fromindividuals to regional and national groups, so we will ask you to explain how you work beforewe start.
We will expect you to show that you are able to meet the terms and conditions of Buy WithConfidence. We will place particular emphasis on customer service and safety plus compliancewith applicable legislation
The application form
If you would prefer to complete a printed form that will be fine, just post it back to the address shown on the website for your nearest Local Authority.
Where appropriate please simply mark an ‘x’ in the boxes provided.
If you have any questions about this form or the BWC scheme, please don’t hesitate to contact us on
This form has been designed to capture information for a range of service providers who may beindividuals, partnerships or limited companies. This means that some parts of the form may notbe relevant to you. Please complete the sections that are relevant to you and put n/a in thesections that do not apply to you.
Notes on completing the form
Data Protection
Your personal data will be held and managed by TSSE Ltd 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 TSSE Ltd they will process and store your data in accordancewith their Data Protection statement at
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.
Your details
We need to understand who you are and where we and prospective clients can contact you.
Advertising and Marketing
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 itmust be removed if you subsequently are no longer part of the scheme.
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 thisresponsibility.
Guidance on working in the UK is available at
Criminal Records Checks (DBS)
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 shouldcarry out the activities described in Clause 3.3 it would be sensible to discuss this requirementwith 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 youhave Disclosure Certificates we may not need to see the individual certificates but will expect youto provide evidence that you can ensure that any person who carries out relevant activity has acurrent 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.
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 informationyou provide and in returning this form you give us permission to do so.