What is the Coal Trade Code? - The Coal Trade Code began in 1962 as a joint financed venture between the National Coal Board and the wholesale and retail parts of the domestic coal trade. The Solid Fuel Association whose members include the major solid fuel producers/manufacturers and the distributive coal trade now finance the scheme.

Why was it created? - The scheme was created so that standards could be set for coal merchants and, in particular, a system could be developed to show their customers that they were keeping to those standards. The Code is administered by a National Panel with an Independent Chairman.

What does this mean to you, the customer? - When a coal merchant joins the Approved Coal Merchants Scheme, he has to give some important undertakings to his customer, and the Scheme sees to it that he keeps these promises:

Why use an Approved Coal Merchant?
The answer is simple..... all coal merchants who belong to the Approved Coal Merchants Scheme support and follow the Coal Trade Code.

· To have his name and address & the Coal Trade Code sign clearly shown on his vehicle.

· To give delivery tickets showing his name and address for each delivery over two bags (lOOkg or 2cwt).

· To give a clear description of the coal or smokeless coal, so that you fully understand what you are buying.

· To give you trustworthy advice about the most appropriate coal or smokeless coal for your appliance, and to offer you help and advice from the Solid Fuel Association.

· To advise you of any current summer discounts.

· To investigate promptly and sympathetically any complaint about coal or smokeless coal supplied to you, or about the service provided