Trustmark is supporting National Consumer Week this week, and is urging both consumers and businesses to brush up on their consumer rights and legal obligations.

'Switched On' is the theme of National Consumer Week, which is being run by Citizens Advice, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The aim of the campaign is to let consumers know they can ask for a refund, repair or replacement if something goes wrong and, if required, they can exercise their rights, whether that be product safety or any service that a business has sold them. These provisions are in the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which came into force last November.

TrustMark, the government-endorsed scheme for all trades in and around the home, has jointly developed assured advice for its 13,000 registered firms with Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, as part of a dedicated primary authority scheme. This support and guidance provides information about the consumer rights and remedies as well as scenarios and advice regarding the main requirements of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 as regards cancellation periods.

Simon Ayers, chief executive of TrustMark, said: "National Consumer Week is an important campaign and helps consumers focus their minds on understanding their rights and businesses on their legal responsibilities. Taking a responsible and proactive approach will avoid difficulties further down the line, which is ultimately better for the business and the customer. Customers want to be treated fairly and businesses that understand their customers' rights can also expect repeated and trouble-free custom from them."

More information can be found online at www.trustmark.org.uk. To obtain free and impartial business advice on the Consumer Rights Act, visit www.businesscompanion.co.uk.