We're pleased to share this article from Devon County Council:
If you own a Devon business and want to build on your reputation for producing quality, locally made goods, the Made in Devon scheme can help showcase what you have to offer.
Made in Devon is part of Trading Standards’ Buy With Confidence scheme, which guarantees that members trade in an honest and fair way. The new scheme is being launched just as trust in locally made products is at an all time high, with more people then ever before choosing to ‘shop local’.
During lockdown demand for local produce and products increased with 41 per cent choosing to shop locally more regularly than they did before the pandemic. Almost half (46 per cent) said that they were ‘motivated’ to support local businesses.
Devon is home to a vibrant economy producing high quality, locally made goods ranging from food and drink, toiletries, furniture and arts and crafts to software, equipment and electronics.
Made in Devon allows businesses, who sell directly to customers, to promote the quality and origin of their products - helping them to tap into a desire from consumers to support local businesses during a time of economic uncertainty. By being a paid-up member that business would be able to show that the products they sell, and any claims they make about its origin, have been thoroughly vetted, checked and certified by Trading Standards.
This would enable consumers to differentiate between genuine, quality made local goods sold by a trustworthy source, and unscrupulous traders who may try to falsely peddle their wares as ‘sourced locally’ in an effort to gain an unfair advantage. And as the scheme develops, businesses that form part of a supply chain, including farmers for instance, could also be included - which would help to support locally sourced goods from “farm to fork”.
Businesses wishing to join are assessed to ensure that they and their products meet the qualifying criteria; that their goods are actually made in Devon and that the component parts of products or ingredients of foods are sourced from within the county. Membership also provides local businesses with a full audit, including a full review of their complaints’ history, access to legal and trading advice and business support from an award-winning trading standards team. Additionally, their business will be listed on the Buy With Confidence website with their details publicly available in directories circulated by partners.
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills said: “There are hundreds of businesses in Devon that produce high quality locally made goods, and over the past six months we have seen how local residents and visitors want to help Devon’s economy get back on its feet by supporting them.
“But up until now there has been no way to legally protect the identity of genuine Devon products and their producers or for businesses to guarantee their origins.
“Made in Devon changes that. It has been set up to protect local businesses, to give consumers confidence that what they are buying is the genuine article and to promote the wide range of quality products that are sourced and made within Devon.
“Made in Devon will consolidate Devon’s reputation as a quality tourism destination where local people, products and skills all contribute to the local economy.”
For more information go to the Made in Devon webpage
Contact Information
David Beasley
Devon County Council
david.beasley@devon.gov.uk