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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support the Government have given to development of the digital tick kitemark indicating digitally compatible products and services amongst manufacturers and retailers. [211435] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The digital switchover logo, which brands reliable sources of information about digital switchover, and identifies products and services that meet agreed criteria related to switchover, was created by the Digital Television Project, a partnership between Government, broadcasters, industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders. The development of the logo was the responsibility of the Market Preparation Group, under the Digital Television Action Plan. The logo is owned by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The DTI licenses its use by trained retailers in conjunction with a point-of-sale consumer information leaflet. The DTI also licenses manufacturers of digital receivers, recorders, and aerials in accordance with agreed specifications. The DTI owns the licensing scheme, and is providing seedcorn funding to it. We are working with the aerial installation industries to establish a link between licensed use of the switchover logo, and the holding of a new vocational qualification, by means of a registered digital installer scheme. The DTI has applied for certification mark status for the logo, to ensure the appropriate legal protection for the logo and its users. The licensing scheme will be supported by compliance monitoring, in line with requirements for having the logo confirmed as a certification mark. The DTI has also informed Trading Standards organisations about the logo and the requirements of the scheme.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

211435; 430 c623W;430 c623-4W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Digital broadcasting Digital technology Licensing Labelling Standards Retail trade Logos

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk