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Primary Authority partnership

To help you comply with trading standards law, we offer Primary Authority partnerships to provide reliable and consistent regulatory advice and support.

Our Primary Authority partnership offers:

  • a dedicated officer who will be your single point of contact for all regulatory advice and support
  • assured compliance advice recognised by other regulators
  • ongoing support and guidance on Trading Standards regulations and changes that might impact your business
  • tailored packages with discounted hourly rates (VAT exempt)

A range of cost-effective packages are available to suit your business needs. The support you get depends on the package you choose.

15 hour support package

Costs £1,150 per year.

This is a reduction of almost 20% on our standard hourly pay as you go rate, and includes three hours Primary Authority set-up in year one.

This package provides you with a range of benefits tailored to your business needs, enabling us to:

  • arrange for your basic compliance documents to be loaded onto the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) website, giving assurance to other regulators
  • produce and publish an inspection plan (if relevant)
  • review the agreement with you on a yearly basis
  • include officers travel within Essex
  • invoice you on a yearly basis

Travel outside of Essex will be charged at our standard hourly pay as you go rate.

Any advice and support that goes above 15 hours will be charged at the tailored business advice pay as you go rate.

80 hour support package

Costs £5,670 per year.

A comprehensive, flexible option for those businesses with greater regulatory compliance needs requiring additional hourly support.

This is a reduction of almost 25% on our standard hourly pay as you go rate, and include three hours Primary Authority set-up in year one.

Tailored to your business needs, this package provides you with a range of benefits making it easier for your business to comply with the law and reduce compliance costs, enabling us to:

  • arrange for all your relevant compliance documents to be loaded onto the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) website, giving assurance to other regulators
  • produce and publish an inspection plan (if relevant)
  • review the agreement with you on a yearly basis
  • include officers travel within Essex
  • invoice you on a yearly basis

Travel outside of Essex will be charged at our standard hourly pay as you go rate.

Any advice and support that goes above 80 hours will be charged at the tailored business advice pay as you go rate.

Bespoke advice

If you would like more support than what's included in the 80 hour Primary Authority partnership, contact us to talk about your requirements.

Partner with us

Get in touch if you’re interested in entering into a Primary Authority partnership with us.

More information

Visit GOV.UK for Primary Authority guidance for businesses.

Contact Trading Standards