ACS has published new versions of its industry leading Assured Advice guides, backed by Surrey and Bucks Trading Standards.
Thousands of ACS members already benefit from Assured Advice, with many more referring to ACS Assured Advice guides as best practice to help them and their colleagues in store. To date, the guides have been downloaded over 100,000 times.
Some of the notable updates to Assured Advice in the latest versions of the guides include:
- Guidance for retailers on the introduction of additional allergen labelling requirements in October 2021, specifically around the sale of foods that are ‘pre packed for direct sale’. The regulations are more commonly known as ‘Natasha’s Law’
- Advice for retailers on the introduction of a ‘novel foods’ classification for CBD food supplements and which products will be allowed to remain on the market from April 1st
- Guidance for retailers on the introduction of new UKCA and UKNI markings for products, which are replacing the CE markings as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Assured Advice allows retailers to get on with running their business instead of worrying about intervention from local enforcement officers. In the last few months alone we’ve provided important clarifications on areas like the sale of CBD food supplements, allergen labelling and product safety. This remains the most comprehensive assured advice scheme available anywhere for convenience retailers, and it’s free to ACS members.”
Assured Advice covers all aspects of regulatory compliance, split into the following areas:
- Preventing underage sales
- Selling tobacco (including guidance on track and trace, and the upcoming menthol ban)
- Managing fire safety
- Storing and selling fuel
- Selling fireworks
- Food safety and hygiene (including guidance on providing a water refill service)
- Fair trading
- Managing health and safety
- Product safety
- Weights and measures
By signing up to the ACS Assured Advice scheme and following our guidelines, the procedures in store will be respected by ALL local enforcement officers in England and Wales including environmental health and Trading Standards officers.
All of the latest Assured Advice guide are available to download free at www.acs.org.uk/advice
The latest episode of the Local Shop Podcast covers some of the latest changes to Assured Advice, as well as a conversation with Camelot about the upcoming changes to age of play for National Lottery products. Listen below, or search for the ‘Local Shop Podcast’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever else you get your podcasts.
