What you need to do in the countdown to ADR compliance

£1m fine of communications giant sparks interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution schemes ahead of October

What you need to do in the countdown to ADR compliance
ADR offers a cheaper, faster and less formal way of resolving unsettled consumer complaints than via the courts.

Recently implemented Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) legislation requires all UK businesses to have an ADR mechanisms in place by 1 October 2015 to recommend fair conclusions to ongoing disputes between businesses and dissatisfied customers.

The warning comes after an operator in the communications industry, which has been bound by ADR regulation since 2011, was fined £1 million by Ofcom, the UK’s independent regulator and competition authority for the sector, for failing to provide the correct information and guidance to consumers.

Businesses must give consumers information about their certified ADR provider that could help them in the event of an unresolved dispute by displaying a document stating their involvement in a scheme, as well providing information on the company website and in sales and service contracts.

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) has recently been approved by the Trading Standards Institute, the regulatory body for ADRs.

Members of the Independent Garage Association (IGA) members are covered by a National Conciliation Service (NCS) and have access to impartial mediation services for unresolved disputes.

IGA director, Stuart James said: “We have been providing conciliation and arbitration services to organisations across the automotive industry for many years.

“We have the process and infrastructure in place so members of the RMI are covered by this process.

“They don’t have to do anything at all, they just have to pick up the phone and we will support them.”

Garage businesses must ensure they inform consumers about their ADR provision on their website, terms and conditions, warranty documents and compliant procedures.

Follow the ‘More Details’ link below for more information about IGA membership.

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