Regulatory Partnership Supports Local Business

Sandwell Councils Regulatory Services and Beeswift, a local manufacturer and wholesaler of Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment, have entered into an agreement that guarantees legal advice and assistance.

The scheme called Primary Authority enables businesses to form a legal partnership with one local authority, which then provides assured and tailored advice on complying with health and safety, trading standards that other local regulators must respect.

Businesses receive ‘assured advice’ tailored to their business needs, which will make it easier for businesses to comply with the law and reduce compliance costs. It also helps grow the business knowing the resources they have invested in compliance are recognised across the country.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Protection said “Businesses must operate legally and the Councils Regulatory Services play an important part in ensuring that is the case. We do recognise that most businesses want to trade legally and it is imperative that those businesses are supported by good legal advice which encourages growth and jobs.”

Mark Smith Compliance and Ethics Manager for Beeswift said “Many of the products we supply are essential to ensure the safety of individuals and we take our responsibilities to ensure that products are compliant and safe extremely seriously. We also value our workforce and are committed to providing a safe work environment. It makes good business sense to ensure that the money we invest in compliance is effectively spent. We welcome this opportunity to work with the Council. We hope this will be a long and successful partnership.”

Primary Authority is a government backed scheme which was introduced in 2009. It aims to simplify and reduce the regulatory burden on business. Originally aimed at businesses which operated across the UK the scheme is now open to any business.