Consumer Redress Scheme to launch in June

A new consumer scheme, the Cosmetic Redress Scheme (CRS), is being launched for the cosmetic, aesthetic and beauty industry in June 2016. The scheme has been authorised by the Chartered Trading Standards and is designed to resolve complaints made by consumers against traders in the cosmetic industry.

The CRS will be administered and run by HF Resolution, a subsidiary of Hamilton Fraser and the company behind the successful Property Redress Scheme (PRS).

On October 1, 2015, new legislation brought the requirements from a European Union Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Directive into UK law. As a result of this legislation, all traders are required to signpost their consumers to a government-authorised consumer redress scheme. Although membership of a redress scheme is not compulsory, the CRS is launching to allow all traders in the cosmetic industry to comply with this new legal requirement while also adding extra benefits to its members.

Tim Frome, managing director of HF Resolution, said, “We are delighted to launch a scheme which will enable those in the cosmetic, aesthetic and beauty industries to comply with a legal requirement, provide confidence to their consumers and also hopefully help with the running of their business. The success of the PRS is based on being easy to join, easy to understand, and being proactive in how we help our members resolve complaints with their consumers. We are aiming to replicate these benefits for CRS members.”

Eddie Hooker, chief executive of Hamilton Fraser, stated, “We’ve proven our expertise in the cosmetic market. Raising standards and educating practitioners is a key value of Hamilton Fraser Cosmetic Insurance and we cannot wait to provide assistance to HF Resolution in the running of the CRS. “