The Approved Code Scheme is operated by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute


The Approved Code Directory

The Approved Code Scheme is currently made up of nearly 20 member-based organisations, called 'Code Sponsors' (with up to a dozen applicants in the pipeline). While these vary in size and focus - some are trade associations, others are fully commercial organisations - they are all leaders in their field and, along with a steadfast commitment to consumer protection and raising standards, each has its own sector-specific Code of Practice (some have multiple codes, covering different parts of their industry and parts of the UK), all APPROVED by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).



Every Code Sponsor - along with its Code (or, in some cases, Codes) of Practice and the various processes it has in place to uphold it - have been independently vetted by the Chartered Institute of Trading Standards (CTSI), the representative body of the UK Trading Standards Profession and one of the world's oldest consumer protection organisations. Together, we aim to make the UK a better, safer and less-risky place to do business.


AUTOMOTIVE


Our Automotive category includes Consumer Codes of Practice in the New and Used Car Sales sectors (below), and the after-sales Vehicle Servicing & Repairs sector. As these are considered relatively high-risk sectors - where many consumers are left feeling quite vulnerable and exposed - finding a business you can trust is particularly important.


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The Motor Ombudsman (TMO)

The Motor Ombudsman is the automotive dispute resolution body. Fully-impartial, it is the first ombudsman to be focused solely on the automotive sector, and self-regulates the UK’s motor industry through its comprehensive Approved Codes of Practice. Find a trustworthy business here.

View Full Profile : The Motor Ombudsman


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AA Cars - The Used Car Site

AA Cars - part of the world-renowned AA Group (est. 1905) - is an online platform used by consumers for sourcing and buying used vehicles. They also operate an Approved Code of Practice across their UK-wide network of Used Car Dealerships - ensuring that consumers are effectively protected when buying from their members.

View Full Profile : AA Cars

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Trust My Garage (TMG)

Trust My Garage is a consumer code of practice exclusively for independent garages. The Trust My Garage shield acts as a badge of quality for the independent garage sector, and demonstrates the commitment our garages follow to provide the highest levels of workmanship and customer service.

View Full Profile : Trust My Garage


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Bosch Car Service

With more than 16,000 Bosch Service Partners, we are the largest independent workshop organisation in the world. In the UK, there are over 300 Bosch Car Service network members. As a global brand, Bosch Car Service has become synonymous with state-of-the-art technologies, a strong focus on innovation and for providing trusted and reliable products.

View Full Profile : Bosch Car Service


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National Body Repair Association (NBRA)

The NBRA is a motor trade association for businesses in the automotive aftermarket which covers repair, service and maintenance of vehicles of all descriptions. It sets and monitors its members' operating standards to encourage ethical business behaviour and ensure that customers choosing to use an NBRA member can have confidence and assurance that in their choice they will receive high standards of service.

View Full Profile : National Body Repair Association


HOMES and PROPERTY


Our Homes and Property category includes Consumer Codes of Practice across a range of sectors, including New Homes and Construction Warranties (below), Property Sales & Lettings, Removals & Storage, Carpets & Flooring, and Renewable Energy companies. These are all sectors where it's important to know you can trust a company before you engage with them - as it's often at a time of major upheaval in people's lives, when they are most at risk from unscrupulous players.


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Consumer Code for Home Builders (CCHB)

The Consumer Code for Home Builders (CCHB) exists to make the home buying process fairer and more transparent for home buyers. The Code sets mandatory requirements that home builders must meet in their marketing and selling of new Homes and their after-sales customer service.

View Full Profile : Consumer Code for Home Builders


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Consumer Code for New Homes (CCNH)

The Consumer Code for New Homes (CCNH) has been established to ensure that best practice is followed by registered Developers in respect of the marketing, selling and purchasing of New Homes to consumers. The Code also sets expected standards for after sales customer care service.

View Full Profile : Consumer Code for New Homes


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ABC+ Warranty Consumer Code

ABC+ Warranty provide Building structural Latent Defects insurance policies and Professional Consultant Certificates for all developers/self-builders of New or Newly Converted properties.

View Full Profile : ABC+ Warranty


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ICW Consumer Code for New Homes

More than just an insurance provider, ICW writes warranties to their clients’ exact specifications to provide perfectly tailored cover. Underpinned by A-rated underwriting and delivered with a passion for customer service, their residential warranty business is now one of the UK’s largest and most respected, with tens of thousands of projects currently on cover.

View Full Profile : ICW Consumer Code for New Homes


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Advantage Home Construction Insurance (AHCI)

Advantage Home Construction Insurance (AHCI) provides structural defects insurance – operating nationally with offices in Warrington, London and Birmingham - offering development-related insurances and a service designed to give customers peace of mind.

View Full Profile : Advantage Home Construction Insurance


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Ark Insurance Group (AIG)

Set up in 2007, the Ark Insurance Group is a forward thinking underwriting agency with a focus on providing both a standard and bespoke suite of products to the provincial insurance broker market. The Ark New Home Buyers Consumer Code establishes a rigorous code of practice for our members, whilst providing homebuyers with valuable guidance and access to services as they navigate the complexities and expectations inherent in the home buying process.

Ark Insurance Group

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The Property Ombudsman (TPO)

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme provides a free, fair and independent service to protect consumers from unfair practice. The scheme receives over 16,000 enquiries every year and offers an independent and impartial dispute resolution service to consumers who have been unable to resolve their disputes with a registered agent.

View Full Profile : The Property Ombudsman

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The Carpet Foundation

The Carpet Foundation is the UK’s lead body for the carpet industry and is the sponsor organisation for this Consumer Code of Practice. The Carpet Foundation is supported by the leading UK based carpet manufacturers who fund the organisation. The Carpet Foundation was founded in 1999 and its manufacturing members produce the majority of the carpet made in the UK.

View Full Profile : The Carpet Foundation

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Home Insulation and Energy Systems Contractors Scheme (HIES)

The Home Insulation and Energy Systems Contractors Scheme (HIES) is a consumer protection organisation covering the installation of renewable energy products. Any products installed by HIES Members must be installed professionally and come with comprehensive guarantees which are underwritten with specialist insurance providing consumers with a high level of protection and peace of mind.

View Full Profile : HIES Contractors Scheme


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Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC)

The Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) was formed in 2006 and sets out the standards applicable to the selling or leasing of small-scale heat and power generators, whether from renewable or other low carbon sources, to domestic consumers. These include marketing, pre-contractual information, quotations, deposits, contracts, guarantees and after-sales service.

View Full Profile : Renewable Energy Consumer Code

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British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA)

The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has almost 500 companies employing 17,000 people that make or sell healthcare and assistive technology products to help people live more independently.

View Full Profile : British Healthcare Trades Association

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Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW)

The Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) was founded in 1991 as a self-regulatory body to safeguard the public from unqualified practitioners and unethical business practices. It has become established as the recognised professional body regulating and promoting the profession of Willwriting in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

View Full Profile : Institute of Professional Willwriters


A to Z List


Here is the A-Z list of current Code Sponsor organisations, each with their own Approved Code - some also have multiple Approved Codes (covering various sub-sectors). Those organisations with a tick next to their names (✓), have included their individual Code Member businesses in the Approved Code Scheme verification database - which means that you can search for them below.



Verify an Approved Code business

Seen the Approved Code Logo displayed by a business - inside their premises, in printed materials, or online? If their Code Sponsor organisation - details of which should always be displayed alongside the ACS Logo - has a tick next to it in the A-Z list (above), you can use our Verification Search to check that they are a genuine member of the Approved Code Scheme.

Genuine Code Member businesses have all agreed to abide by strict Code of Practice guaranteeing higher levels of customer service and added consumer protections (above and beyond those offered by the law).


PLEASE NOTE : It is a criminal offence for non-Code Member businesses to falsely claim membership of the Approved Code Scheme, or display the Approved Code Logo. Please report any infringements to: ccab@tsi.org.uk


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.

The Approved Code Scheme, c/o CTSI, 1 Sylvan Court Sylvan Way, Southfields Business Park, Basildon, Essex, SS15 6TH

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