All members of the National Bed Federation (NBF) are now automatically benefitting from a Primary Authority Partnership (PAP) with West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service.
From 1st October, all members became part of the scheme which provides them with Assured Advice on product safety and fair trading. Previously, members had to register to become part of the PAP.
Jessica Alexander, executive director of the National Bed Federation, says: “There are considerable advantages to this new arrangement. Before this latest change, members were invited to opt-in to the Primary Authority Partnership. Now, this will happen automatically.
“It means all our members benefit from a consistent approach to interpreting regulations relating to product safety and fair trading. They can also ask for advice and guidance on any queries within those two functions. This information is then shared across all local authorities so will apply across the board for all our bed manufacturers.”
The PAP was set up with West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service over two years ago. At the same time, the NBF’s Code of Practice was awarded Assured Advice status by Trading Standards.
David Strover, Trading Standards manager of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, says: “This service has a long standing Primary Authority Partnership with the National Bed Federation. We are delighted to support the legitimate bedding industry through offering advice and assurance.”
The NBF Code of Practice covers seven key areas of compliance – flammability, cleanliness of fillings, trade descriptions, labelling and composition of textile products, awareness of EU timber regulations, awareness of REACH regulations and awareness of EU biocides legislation.
The Code of Practice is a compulsory requirement of membership for all bed manufacturer members and is underpinned by a rigorous regimen of regular third-party audit.
Primary Authority Partnerships were introduced in 2009 to provide businesses regulated by multiple local authorities with a single approach to legal compliance.
