This is a sponsored article by Certass
Consumer protection organisation DGCOS and certification specialists Certass have agreed a partnership deal, commencing 1st August 2018. The agreement marks the start of close collaboration between the two groups, benefitting installers that are members of both and the industry as a whole.
Certass is widely recognised as one of the industry’s most respected and comprehensive competent person schemes. In addition, it also recently launched the Certass Trade Association, offering invaluable business and technical support to its members while promising to act as a voice promoting progress within the industry.
DGCOS are known as consumer protection champions, supporting homeowners who use their members with a comprehensive free package of protection that includes a consumer advice line, insurance backed guarantees, mediation and access to an independent Ombudsman. Installers that are part of the scheme often benefit from increased sales and margins through consumer confidence, backed up by impressive DGCOS marketing support.
Initially the partnership will see the two organisations work together on promoting the industry’s professionalism, while supporting installers in a range of areas, including business, technical and consumer issues. There will also be cross-promotion of the schemes between the Certass Trade Association and DGCOS, with specific benefits available to members of both. For instance, Certass members will be able to use DGCOS to cover their mandatory alternative dispute resolution (ADR) requirement, while the joining fee for new Certass members will be covered under the agreement between the two organisations.
Jon Vanstone, Chair of the Certass Trade Association comments on the partnership: “There’s a clear synergy between our organisation and DGCOS; both are focussed on promoting our industry and its professionalism to consumers, to the benefit of everyone. Certass lead the field in certification and installer support, while DGCOS leads the field on consumer advice and protection. By getting together and collaborating we can support and champion the installers that are out there every day offering great products and service to homeowners.”
Tony Pickup, founder of DGCOS, comments: “We’re known for our unrivalled consumer protection and support credentials, but an important part of what we do is promoting the quality and best practice of our members to consumers. I was delighted to see the launch of the Certass Trade Association, providing wide-ranging support to its members. It mirrors what we do but from a different angle, so the partnership between us makes sense – benefitting the industry as a whole by working and growing together.”
For more information on CERTASS and DGCOS, please visit www.certass.co.uk and www.dgcos.org.uk.
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What a mistake for CERTASS! We actually LOST business by remaining a DGCOS member. Several potential customers who had used another local DGCOS member had been severely let-down by the company and subsequently let down by the DGCOS when they needed help… apparently the DGCOS “weren’t interested”. We of course brought this to the DGCOS’s attention and to this day we remain disgusted that we were told they knew the other company receives these complaints but they “spend a lot of money” with them so they don’t take any further action. Their consumer protection is a joke. With that, and… Read more »
Hi Daniel As you are probably aware, one of my clients is DGCOS, who I work with as their Strategy Consultant. I have been always been impressed with their Scheme and particularly their excellent mediation service (now a fully approved ADR Scheme by CTSI) which helps installers resolve disputes with awkward consumers. I would very much like to investigate your alleged complaint. Could you therefore, please email me with the details of yourself, your company and your allegations regarding the other company and who they are to b.smith@dgcos.org.uk? I can then investigate the complaint and advise you of the outcome.… Read more »