Personalised Pens is a member of both PROMOTA and the BPMA (British Promotional Merchandising Association) and we are committed to abiding by their rules in an endeavour to provide unrivalled levels of service and quality to our customers. These associations regulate the activity of their members and act as arbitrators in the unlikely event of a dispute. We have enjoyed several years of membership with both associations without incident and we intend to continue as active members for the foreseeable future. The following are their codes of practice. Please note personalised pens is the pen printing division of A&K Promotional Printing.

PROMOTA Code Of Practice
1. Member companies have a duty of fair dealing with their customers.

2. Member companies shall not do anything that may corrupt the reputation or integrity of the advertising gift trade generally.

3. Member companies shall not knowingly undermine the relationships of other members with their customers by any means beyond those of fair competitive practice.

4. Member companies which submit quotations to customers shall state for how long the prices are valid and what ancillary charges such as artwork or delivery costs are extra.

5. Member companies supplying samples must ensure that these are a true example of the goods to be supplied.

6. Member Companies are committed to supplying goods of acceptable quality and to supplying them on time.

7. Member companies shall not encourage customers to expect delivery dates that are unrealistic and unlikely to be fulfilled.

8. Member companies shall acknowledge orders specifying reference numbers, quantities, colours, print details and agreed delivery dates.

9. Member companies shall do all that they can to ensure that delivery times, once agreed, are adhered to. Any deviations shall be notified to customers immediately.

10 Member companies shall be responsible for advising customers of whatever details, weights and dimensions are required for export documentation.

11 Member companies shall ensure that goods supplied and their presentation boxes are packaged so as to arrive undamaged. Bulk packaging must allow for the individual packaging of items if this is necessary for their preservation.

12 Member companies shall ensure that any deviations in fulfilling orders outside acceptable limits of tolerance be rectified immediately and with priority.

13 Member companies have a duty of fair dealing with their suppliers.

14 Member companies shall ensure that orders to their suppliers are clear and to prevent misunderstandings, shall include essential information such as product reference numbers, quantities, colours and prices, together with print instructions specifying process, text, size, colour and position.

15 Member companies shall, if cancelling an order, reimburse the supplier for all reasonable costs incurred up to the time of the cancellation.

16 Member companies shall adhere to terms of payment agreed with suppliers.

17 Member companies, if asked by a customer or another member to refer a dispute to an adjudicator appointed by PROMOTA, shall not unreasonably refuse to do so unless the matter is to be dealt with in a Court of Law. If the adjudicator appointed by PROMOTA is not acceptable to any of those involved in the dispute, they can agree on the appointment of another adjudicator, provided that they pay for the service themselves.

BPMA Code of Practice
1. Member companies must at all times conduct their affairs in an ethical and professional manner.

2. Member companies must be financially stable. The Association will carry out random credit checks.

3. Merchandise supplied should always comply fully with a written and agreed specification, which must be an integral part of the official purchase order.

4. Member companies must make available representative samples of merchandise and ensure that delivered goods are of the same or better quality. Any tolerances in this respect should be agreed in writing.

5. Member companies who have standard terms and conditions must make these available to their clients prior to accepting a purchase order.

6. Full and binding quotations should only be given on receipt of the detailed brief and must always be supplied in writing, indicating clearly any additional costs. e.g. delivery, tooling, origination etc. as well as terms of payment.

7. When 'ball park' costs are requested these should be supplied as an estimate, clearly stating that they are subject to sight of the final brief/specification. A quotation is legally binding but an estimate is not.

8. Member companies must always supply a full production and delivery schedule as part of the contract with the client and emphasise that any slippage such as artwork arriving later than scheduled, is likely to affect the final delivery date.

9. Should circumstances arise which affect compliance with the agreed production and delivery schedule, clients are to be informed immediately in writing and offered alternative solutions for fulfilment of the order.

10 Member companies should advise their clients of the terms and conditions relating to support stock or any follow up orders.

11 Member companies will be responsible for ensuring that merchandise supplied complies fully with relevant legislative and safety controls.

12 Member companies should ensure that production facilities have adequate quality control procedures in place, which will guarantee that merchandise supplied meets the specification within agreed tolerances.

13 Member companies can only claim to be manufacturers if they are responsible for the creation/addition of more than 60% of the product trade value.

14 BPMA members are expected to comply with the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 under which it is an offence to make a false or misleading statement in advertising or publicity relating to goods or services being offered. It is also an offence to supply goods carrying a false or misleading trade description.

15 BPMA members claiming to be sole distributors or having sole representative rights must be able to substantiate such claims with relevant documentation.

16 If, due to a member company's error/omission an order cannot be fulfilled to specification and within the agreed time scale, then the member should take all reasonable steps to adequately recompense the client

17 All promotions must comply with the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion. BPMA members must avoid participating in any activity that breaches these codes.

18 Members are expected to work closely with their clients from the planning stage through to evaluation so as to provide the highest level of service and customer satisfaction.

19 BPMA members and their clients must at all times protect the interests of the consumer/recipient of the offer, in line with the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion.

20 Comparative statements relating to retail values included in promotional material must not be misleading. They should be checked and all legal requirements observed.

21 BPMA members are expected to exercise strict confidentiality in respect of information supplied to them by the client.

22 When a dispute involving a BPMA member is brought to the attention of the secretariat it will be referred to the Committee and a panel of BPMA officers. Members must agree to accept and abide by the findings and decisions of the Committee.