Trading Standards wins national award for supporting businesses to grow
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards has won a national award for its work to cut red tape for businesses and boost the economy.
The service* was recognised by the Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards for its partnership work with dozens of businesses to help them comply with regulations, supporting their growth.
It was commended for “outstanding achievement” in leadership of “primary authority” – the scheme where businesses work with a single trading standards service whose advice on regulations applies across other areas and bodies.
The service has formed primary authority partnerships with a range of businesses and organisations, both big and small, including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Shell, Esso, British Gas, Waitrose, Toyota and the Association of Convenience Stores.
Noel Brown, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health said: “It’s fantastic news that our trading standards service has been recognised nationally for its work to reduce burdens on business, in turn helping to boost the economy. This well-deserved award is testament to the hard work of a really great team.”
Noel said the County Council’s partnership with Surrey had enabled the Trading Standards team to strengthen work in this area through sharing expertise and pooling resources. “Not only are we helping businesses prosper, we’re also raising extra income for our councils to plough back into services for the benefit of residents,”he said.
The service was honoured in the Regulatory Excellence Awards organised by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
*Buckinghamshire and Surrey operate a joint trading standards service.