Governance of the Scheme

The Approved Code Scheme is operated by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) on behalf of the Approved Code Scheme Board (ACSB), which was established as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC). While the ACSB retains oversight of the scheme - and is responsible for approving the Codes of Practice (based on independent analysis) - the day-to-day executive and operational control of the scheme is delegated to the Approved Code Scheme team at CTSI. You can read more about how the scheme is governed below.

Approved Code Scheme Board

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The Approved Code Scheme Board (ACSB) is responsible for determining all matters relating to the approval of Codes of Practice and discharging its fiduciary responsibilities for the company; it consists of up to seven members.

Please find the Articles of Association here and the Memorandum of Association here.

What is the role of the ACSB?

- Setting the Community Interest Company (CIC) objectives
- Meeting the requirements of the CIC Regulator
- Setting the Core Criteria for Approval
- Setting the Budget Requirement
- Approving the Subscription Methodology and Fees
- Final Approval of Codes
- Final Discipline/Revocation Code Approval
- Fiduciary responsibilities for the CIC
- Producing an Annual Report on the activities of the CIC.

Community Interest Company (CIC)

The ACSB is a Community Interest Company. CTSI considers that establishing the ACSB as a CIC will strengthen its focus both on reducing consumer detriment and acting in the interests of the community as a whole.

'We will act in the collective community interest, operating an open and transparent approach. We will welcome the use of the results of our scheme to ensure markets work well for consumers and businesses; parliamentarians are supported in their work and consumer advocacy is enhanced'.

Asset Locked Body

The Asset Locked Body is responsible for distributing the assets of the company in accordance with the Community Interest Statement, in the event that the company is wound up. The Trustees of the College of Fellows, CTSI's charitable and benevolent society, act as the asset locked body for ACSB.

Who sits on the Board?

- Chair - Lord Jamie Lindsay
- John Herriman
- Alison Barker
- Melissa Dring
- Anna Kelshaw
- Sally Gronow
- Ian Prosser CBE

Board Vacancies - the ACSB is recruiting for two independent Non-Executive Directors to join the Board. For further information please visit the CTSI website. Closing date for applications is noon on 23 February 2026.

In 2026, the Approved Code Scheme Board will meet on the following dates:

24 March 2026
8 July 2026
15 September 2026 (Strategy day)
2 December 2025

Code Sponsors Panel

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The overall aim of the Code Sponsors Panel is to support the aims of the scheme itself and help reduce consumer detriment and raise consumer standards within their sectors.

What is the role of the Code Sponsors Panel?

- Consider and make recommendations concerning any variations to the terms of the Agreement or the Criteria
- Consider and make recommendations for any additional fees CCAB wishes to levy on Code Sponsors
- Consider and make recommendations concerning the Annual Fee, the Minimum Fee and the Maximum Fee and any variations to them
- Monitor the expenditure of the CCAB
- Consider any other incidental matter relevant to the activities of CCAB and make such recommendations as it considers appropriate
- Arrange meetings of the Code Sponsors
- Help shape the Strategic Vision of the Scheme
- Consider and make recommendations to develop and strengthen the Core Criteria
- Bring a trade perspective to the scheme
- Engage with new Code Sponsors
- Make recommendations to the Communications and Marketing Working Group.

Who sits on the Code Sponsors Panel?

- Chair – Bill Fennell
- ACSB representative – Alison Barker
- Andrew Large
- Carol Brady
- Paul Sharpe
- Steve Emmett
- Vanda Bell

2025 Panel dates:

In 2025, the Code Sponsor Panel will take place on the following dates:

25 March 2025
28 May 2025
13 August 2025
25 November 2025

Key Dates:

22 October 2025 – ACS All Party Parliamentary Group event: Moments that Matter – A Lifetime of Protecting Consumers’ Interests

PLEASE NOTE : We recently changed the consumer-facing name of the scheme from the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) to the Approved Code Scheme. However, some of our publicity and contractual materials (produced before June 2024) may still include references to the original name. Until we have adapted everything, both names remain valid - and we apologise for any confusion.