Trading Standards have been working with the Intellectual Property Office and the Self Storage Association UK (SSA UK) to encourage the highest standards and best practice across the industry.
The Tick Box: Keep it Real Keep it Legal scheme helps self storage facilities like us to prevent customers from using their services for criminal purposes. Figures from enforcement agencies show that increasing quantities of counterfeit goods are being seized in, or on route to self storage facilities.
The Tick Box, Keep it Real, Keep it Legal scheme is aimed at:
- Educating employees about the role of Trading Standards.
- Building on their knowledge surrounding counterfeit goods.
- Developing a strong working relationship with Local Authority Trading Standards.
- Ensuring clear procedures are in place for qualifying customers.
- Detailing routes of contact to ensure a speedy response should the company have any concerns, suspicions or require assistance.
- Presenting a visible demonstration of the company’s commitment to staying crime-free and displaying the Tick Box logo with pride.
- Providing a quality assurance to storage customers that their items are in a safe and well-protected environment.
- Sending a strong message to anyone considering storing illicit products that it will not be tolerated.
The scheme also places an obligation on members who sign up to the scheme to have suitable practices and procedures in place to “know their customer” and be aware of behaviours that could be a red flag of potential illegal activity.
Storage World is pleased to be one of the first companies to sign up to the Tick Box partnership initiative. Our processes and procedures are designed to deter criminal activity and we are proud to work in partnership with all relevant authority bodies with the aim of providing a safe and secure environment for both our customer and our colleagues.
