The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is stepping up its fight against the illegal use of its logo.

At present, letters are sent to anyone displaying the CIPHE logo that is not entitled to do so. Anyone who fails to respond to the letter within seven days is reported to their local Trading Standards Office. Once Trading Standards get involved the ‘offender’ usually tends to cooperate, otherwise they could face prosecution under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Alison Lovelock, from the Membership Department of CIPHE, is urging people to contact the Institute if they suspect that a person using the logo is not a member. “Recently, a Gas Safe inspector contacted the Institute to report a suspected misuse of our logo. It turned out that the culprit had been using the Gas Safe logo and the CIPHE logo illegally,” she said.

“Sometimes it can be a case of lapsed CIPHE membership and the person is still using stationery or van signage displaying the logo. Obviously, we will bring this to their attention, as it may just be a case of misplacing the renewal form. However, if this is not the case they will be reported to Trading Standards. We have a duty to protect the public.”

For information on CIPHE membership please visit the CIPHE website, or call the membership department on 01708 463116.