BHTA's membership represents nearly 400 companies who provide a variety of products including first aid medical equipment, mobility access and stair lifts, prosthetics, rehabilitation products and visual impairment products.

The new protections that BHTA customers can expect include:

• protection for a customer's repayments or deposits in the event that the BHTA member is unable to deliver the goods or services purchase
• a promise not to use high-pressure selling techniques, and encourage a carer or advisor to be present during home visits,
• make sure that if a customer is entitled to cancel the purchase, they get a ‘cancellation card' with their contract, making it easier for them to cancel
• make sure that consumers have access to a free independent redress scheme if things go wrong.

Consumers wanting to use a BHTA member should now look for the OFT Approved Code logo or can look up approved members on the OFT website www.oft.gov.uk/codes

Ray Hodgkinson, Director General of BHTA, said: ‘Buying healthcare products should not have to be a worry. The OFT Code approval is a testament to the professional standards of our membership and means that as a customer you will be well looked after. Our members know that the onus is upon every single one of us to maintain high standards and ensure that the special responsibility we have is fulfilled.'

Colin Brown, OFT Director of Consumer Policy, said: ‘BHTA members provide important equipment and services to people with special physical needs. The BHTA code should provide extra protection which is especially important for vulnerable consumers. BHTA is the first health sector trade association to gain OFT code approval, and I congratulate them on their work to improve standards for consumers.'

Notes to editors

1.The OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme consists of two stages. During Stage One the code must meet the OFT's published core criteria, which contain measures designed to remove or ease consumer concerns about undesirable trading practices. In Stage Two the code sponsor must prove that its code lives up to the promises made in Stage One by demonstrating that the code is being effectively implemented by its members and that consumer disputes are properly.

2.BHTA originally submitted its code for assessment under the OFT's code approval scheme in May 2003, and completed Stage One in June 2006. See the OFT website : www.oft.gov.uk for further information.

3.BHTA currently has nearly 400 members. To see the full list of members go to the BHTA website www.bhta.net

4.The Enterprise Act 2002 gives the OFT powers to approve and promote consumer codes of practice that meet the OFT's core criteria. The OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme aims to promote and safeguard consumers' interests by helping consumers identify better businesses and to encourage businesses to raise their standards of customer service.

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