TK Maxx helps make reducing red tape fashionable
19 November 2009
High street fashion retailer TK Maxx has become the first company in the sector to take advantage of a scheme that will cut unnecessary red tape, and cut its costs as a result.
The Primary Authority agreement, which it has signed with Watford Borough Council, establishes Watford as its single point of contact - its Primary Authority - for health and safety issues affecting its retail outlets all over the UK.
Councillor Derek Scudder, Cabinet Member responsible for environmental issues at Watford Borough Council, said: "TK Maxx's national headquarters is based in Watford. The aim of Primary Authority agreements such as this is to improve the consistency of environmental health advice and enforcement, across all of TK Maxx's 220 stores and four distribution centres nationwide and to reduce the burden on the business.
"This can be achieved by making sure that officers across the country focus on the right issues when they carry out inspections, and asking them to contact Watford Borough Council to resolve any issues, rather than TK Maxx's head office."
Richard Brown, Environmental Health Manager at Watford Borough Council, added: "In the run up to this agreement being signed, our Environmental Health Officers have spent time familiarising themselves with TK Maxx's Health and Safety procedures. This has been extremely valuable in helping us understand how they implement health and safety measures throughout their business. We are now able to advise nationally on any procedures that the company are considering and keep them up to date with any changes in legislation or national initiatives."
Primary Authority, run by the public body for better local regulation LBRO, provides reliable and consistent regulatory advice from a single source on key aspects of environmental health, trading standards and licensing services. Government estimates the scheme could save UK business up to £50m a year.
For businesses a primary authority partnership will mean consistency of local inspection and enforcement activity. Currently businesses can run the risk of prosecution even if they follow official advice if local inspectors disagree about how to interpret regulations. This lack of consistency can also result in discrepancies in protection for consumers, workers and the environment.
Chair of LBRO, Clive Grace, said: "The momentum behind Primary Authority is growing with every agreement that is signed. TK Maxx is an important name and their agreement with Watford Borough Council will not just be good for them - it will help set the lead for other companies in the sector."
Ends.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Primary Authority scheme was designed by the Better Regulation Executive and approved by Parliament as part of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. Primary Authority came into law on 6 April 2009. Primary Authority partnerships are available to any business that trades across two or more council boundaries, regardless of size. Small businesses that sell from websites, for example, have the same access to consistent advice about trading standards and health and safety rules as big manufacturing or construction companies. The scheme will improve compliance to the benefit of business, consumers and communities.
2. The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) helps local authorities improve their environmental health, trading standards, fire safety and licensing services - reducing burdens on businesses that comply with the law while targeting those who flout it. It was incorporated as a government-owned limited company in May 2007. Following the commencement of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 on 1 October 2008, it now operates as an executive non-departmental public body, accountable to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills through the Better Regulation Executive. LBRO is governed by an independent Board, has a staff of around 25 and is based in central Birmingham. Our remit covers the whole of the UK and we liaise closely with the devolved administrations to ensure our work in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is appropriate. For further information please visit http://www.lbro.org.uk/
Media enquiries to Jo Barker or Roland Curtis. Tel: 0121 226 4019.