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

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The Carpet Foundation (CF)

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The Carpet Foundation (CF) is a not for profit Trade Association representing the interests of, and promoting, independent carpet retailers. The Foundation has some 300 retail members (with over 325 branches) covering the UK. It is also supported by 20 carpet industry suppliers via their Patron Member status, including all the major UK manufacturers.

The Foundation has been operating a Code of Practice since 2005. All retail members must sign up to the Code. In 2018, the Foundation was successful in gaining Approved Alternative Dispute Resolution status.

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 CERTIFIED 

Approved Code of Practice

This is to certify that the published Consumer Code of Practice of The Carpet Foundation was officially granted APPROVED CODE status in 2007. Since then, the relevant provisions, processes and procedures have been continuously monitored and regularly audited by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) - the representative body of the UK Trading Standards profession, since 1881, and one of the primary Government-endorsed consumer protection bodies in the United Kingdom - operating on behalf of the Approved Code Scheme (see Code Audit Record, below).

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Approved Code Registry :

Code Sector Carpets and Flooring
Code of Practice Click here to view (pdf opens in new tab)
Year of Approval 2007
Members 423
Last Audited October 2023
Code Audit Record The Carpet Foundation Audit 2024 (pdf opens in new tab)

More about the Carpet Foundation (CF)

VERIFY A COMPANY : If you want to check that a business displaying the Approved Code Scheme logo is genuinely a member of the scheme, please enter their details in the search box at the top of the page (or use the main search box on the Homepage).

The CF Code of Practice

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The selection , purchase and installation of carpet can be a complicated and intrusive business.

It is essential that interaction with the consumer be handled in a professional manner which will meet the expectations of the consumer. By signing up to the Code retail members commit to running their business in a clear and transparent manner.

Read The Carpet Foundation's Code Of Practice

Consumers purchase carpet on average once every seven years.

Their knowledge of the sector is therefore limited and they rely heavily on the guidance and expertise of the retailer. The Code of Practice is therefore a very visible sign that the retailer can be trusted to give clear and impartial advice and will resolve problems should they arise.

The Carpet Foundation Code of Practice has a number of benefits.

These benefits include:

  • impartial professional advice: consumers get to buy what is right for their particular needs
  • written terms of business: consumers know in advance where they stand on payment terms, deposits, responsibilities
  • written quotations: showing what has to be paid with no hidden extras
  • deposit safeguards: deposits, up to 50%, are safeguarded through the Carpet Foundation deposit protection scheme
  • free extended guarantees: two year guarantees against agreed manufacturing faults
  • free installation guarantee: twelve months guarantee if fitted by a Carpet Foundation retailer
  • after sales procedures: free conciliation and low cost arbitration service in the event of problems

The Carpet Foundation recognises the benefit of promoting the Code to carpet buyers. To this end, the Foundation:

  • provides retail members with free point of sale material to promote the Code to their customers
  • uses the Foundation website to tell carpet buyers about the Code. The website features the Code in full, information sheets and application forms
  • features the Code in Public Relations activity and online consumer advertising campaigns

The Foundation membership is made up of Independent Carpet Retailers.

Many are family-owned businesses who are part of their local community. Membership helps to differentiate them from competitors and provide reassurance to customers, it can therefore help to close a sale. The Foundation is also financially supported by the major UK carpet manufacturers.

To be a member of the Foundation a retailer must have a physical store that is open to the public and must have accounts with at least 2 of the Patron Member manufacturers.

The Foundation will also explore suitability by having discussions with suppliers to the retailer regarding trading history. Plus the member has to sign up to the Code. A review of the member website and store is also carried out.

To monitor compliance, a third of members are sent a self completion questionnaire each year (the results of which go into the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) audit).

The Foundation will also follow up on any complaints from consumers.

Minor breaches of the Code will be dealt with internally by the Foundation and will lead to the following measures:

  • advice on how to prevent an occurrence
  • written warnings
  • final warnings prior to a referral to the Independent Non-Compliance Panel

The Non Compliance Panel is Chaired by a retired solicitor. It has never had to be used but can impose fines or termination of membership.

Disputes and Complaints

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As a consumer, if you ever enter into a dispute with a business that is a member of the Carpet Foundation, the business must offer you Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This is a simpler, cheaper and faster alternative to going to Court. And the adjudications of the independent ADR body are binding on the business (although you are still free to go to Court afterwards).

Offering customers ADR is a mandatory and non-negotiable requirement for membership of the Approved Code Scheme - ensuring that only the best, most customer-centric businesses remain in the scheme. It also acts as a powerful incentive for any member business to treat you with respect, courtesy and fairness, at all times.

CF's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) : 

Independent ADR Body Mr A J Price BA (Cantab)
Address Priceworks Ltd. 24 St Johns Avenue, Kidderminster DY11 6AW
NOTES  

Complain about a CF Member business

If you feel you have been mistreated by a business that is a member of the Approved Code Scheme, there are steps you can take. In the first instance, please reach out to them - explaining the nature of your complaint in clear and unambiguous language, and mentioning that you are aware of their membership of the Carpet Foundation and the Approved Code Scheme. In most cases, this approach will ensure your complaint receives proper attention - and, ideally, a resolution will be forthcoming. If you are not happy with the result, they must offer you Alternative Dispute Resolution, or you can request it.

Only if this approach fails to bear fruit should you contact the CF, or their nominated ADR body (see their contact details, above) - who will then do their best to help you resolve your dispute with the business.

CF's Advice :

In the event of a dispute that cannot be resolved amicably (most are resolved), the Foundation will direct the consumer and the retailer to the Conciliation service application form on the Foundation website. On receipt of the application forms, the Foundation ADR officers will review the evidence and come to a conclusion. 90% of disputes are resolved at this stage. If Conciliation is not accepted by one of the parties, then a full Arbitration service is available (which may involve a site visit). Arbitration has not been needed to be used in the last five years.

Complain about the Carpet Foundation

In order to assess the effectiveness of the Code of Practice in terms of delivering higher standards of retailing to consumers the Carpet Foundation will carry out a number of monitoring and auditing measures:

  • analysis of non-compliance data
  • independent research on consumer satisfaction levels amongst individual Retail Members
  • analysis of conciliation and arbitration cases
  • personal compliance visits to Retail Members.

In the interests of complete transparency and fairhandedness, if you represent a business and would like to complain about the way that the Carpet Foundation operates as part of the Approved Code Scheme, please contact us at : ccab@tsi.org.uk.

Corporate Details (from Companies House) :

Registered Name THE CARPET FOUNDATION
Company Reg. No. 3833797
Established 1999
Reg. Address M C F Complex, 60 New Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1AQ 

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.

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