Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment her Department has made of the support available to small businesses in relation to unsolicited sales approaches from third party intermediaries.
Minister for the Economy: The Department’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) recognises that small businesses may experience detriment as a result of misleading or intrusive sales practices in relation to unsolicited sales approaches from thirdparty intermediaries.
TSS supports businesses, particularly small and micro-businesses, by offering practical advice and assistance to help them understand trading standards regulations. The Service also provides support to traders that have been subject to misleading practices by other businesses.
Any allegations of misleading practices could give rise to a breach of the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 (BPRs), enforced by TSS in the North.
If businesses need advice they should contact Businessline on 0300 077 0323, or by emailing tssbusinessline@economy-ni.gov.uk. Businessline is the Trading Standards Service’s business support helpline.
ENDS
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