To that end Approval Profiles exploit evidence of prior qualifications as far as possible where these arise from membership of other regulatory regimes. This allows sector-specific qualifications as satisfactory evidence, for example authorisation by the Financial Services Authority, for compliance with the requirements for financial probity. The approval contract between tScheme and the service provider binds the service provider to redress and commensurate sanction procedures in the case of justified complaint or observed failure. The possible penalties include orders for immediate correction, compensation of those injured and termination of approval rights. Those found to have breached their obligations will have rights of appeal as specified in their approval contract.
Membership is open to all organisations, and our accounts are published at company house.
It is an open and neutral organisation, seeking membership through subscription from all sectors of the community, including Trust Service Providers and Technology Suppliers from industry, Users, Government, Trade Associations, Consumer Groups, Financial Institutions, and Certification Bodies. It is self-funding from membership subscriptions and eventually from charges made for the granting of tScheme approval and use of the tScheme mark. A Board of directors is elected by the whole membership through a process which ensures all types of member are properly represented. The Board is responsible for ensuring the balance and neutrality of the tScheme operation. The Board will make decisions on policy and budget, oversee the work programme of tScheme through the offices of an appointed Chief Executive officer, ratify Approvals Profiles, and consider applications from assessed Trust Service Providers for formal tScheme approval.