The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is cracking down on the illegal use of its logo.
Only qualified and experienced individuals are allowed to join CIPHE and must abide by a code of professional conduct.

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. If offenders then fail to cooperate with Trading Standards they could face prosecution under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Operations manager, Danny Davis, said: 'If we find anyone using the CIPHE logo who is not entitled to do so, we will work with Trading Standards to prosecute them. A number of cases have recently been brought to court successfully.'

Alison Lovelock, membership department for the CIPHE, is urging people to contact the Institute if they suspect that someone using the logo is not a member.

'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 http://bit.ly/Nnxzlu or call 01708 463116.