How to use the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) to your advantage – FREE GUIDE

In 2006, prompted by concerns about the behaviour and power of the major UK supermarkets, the UK Competition Commission conducted an investigation and concluded that legislation was required to force them to behave more fairly towards their suppliers.  The result was the Groceries (Supply Chain Practices) Market Investigation Order 2009 , which came into effect in February 2010.

Over a year on, the UK Government has published proposals for the appointment of an Ombudsman to enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) annexed to the Order.  Industry media commentary (this item for example) has suggested that it may be 2014 before this happens, and that the Code is unlikely to result in changes in the supermarkets behaviour in the meantime.  Does this mean that the Code is irrelevant until then?

It shouldn’t be, because it imposes on the “Designated Retailers” (the major UK supermarkets currently ten in number) a set of mandatory “fair dealing” terms that they must include in every supply contract, with every supplier, irrespective of where in the world the supplier is located.

If you would like a copy of our FREE BRIEFING on How to use the Code to your advantage  please get in touch.