Strangford construction business fined for false advertising

A Strangford construction contractor who falsely used the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and National House Building Council (NHBC) logos was today fined £750 plus £25 costs at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court.
~ Monday, 9 January 2012

The company, Sloan Construction Ltd, used the logos on letterheads which implied that it was a member of these organisations. In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sloan Construction Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges of making the false claims which breached the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

The Trading Standards Service Investigation, the result of a consumer complaint, discovered that after the consumer had employed the company to build a house, it had allowed its registration with these organisations to lapse.

Laura Kane of the Trading Standards Service said: “Traders who falsely display trust marks, quality marks or claim to be a signatory to a code of conduct when they are not, are committing criminal offences under the above legislation.

“Such claims are generally made to attract potential customers to use a business, that is a member of such an organisation. The FMB and NHBC are renowned in the construction industry and the display of these logos instils confidence in a consumer that they will receive a quality service and have access to third party arbitration should anything go wrong.

"Falsely displaying these logos is misleading to consumers and, furthermore, Sloan Construction Ltd, by continuing to display the FMB and NHBC logos when no longer a member of these organisations, have an unfair advantage over legitimate members.”

Anyone who believes they have been misled by false advertising should contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 or log on to the Consumerline website.

Notes to editors:

1. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 apply to commercial practices before, during and after a contract is made. They contain a general prohibition of unfair commercial practices and, in particular, contain prohibitions of misleading and aggressive commercial practices.
2. For press enquiries please contact DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9604. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.