CORGI icon

The only way forward now is to scrap the CORGI machine (on paper) and start again. In an ideal world the Government would sequester the icon and return the name to public ownership, where indeed it originated. It might be painful for the Government and indeed expensive, but it has to be done. And it can be done by the way.

The National Lottery website, a .co.uk website, resolves to the National Lottery Commision which is a .gov.uk website. Whoever successfully bids to run the lottery can use the national lottery URL during their period in office. The Government can then exercise absolute control. And so it should be with CORGI.

It has already emerged from the latest review that it would be difficult to present a name other than CORGI to consumers. Hence there is no option available to Registered Gas Installers (RGI) for self-certification purposes, as there is with other topics. RGI are trapped in the grip of a discredited regime, that is first and foremost building a media empire on the backs of RGI.

Options

Those who let them that is. An option does exist. Not entirely a comfortable one for many no doubt, but an entirely ethical and legal one. It is an option I have always known about but have remained silent on, in deference to co-operation with Her Majesty's Government.

The current situation of data theft by CORGI is far too serious to ignore. Weigh that against the re-discovered CORGI GWN leaflet and we have a cast-iron case for side-stepping what should be the preferred option. We cannot be denied our own professional ethics and dignity. A line has to be drawn somewhere. And now it has. I will bend no more.

Until CORGI is brought under complete control, I will, when necessary, supply customers with a letter outlining my dilemma and situation. I will not budge on the subject of, or compromise my own ethical norms developed over many years.

CORGI cannot dictate your ethics and the Government is not involved in any way with that behaviour. Indeed the Government dictates the code of behaviour for all self-certifcation bodies. So does the HSC for CORGI's role with them. But they both fail to enforce.

Self certification

Whatever the reasons for self certification or your view on self-certification, it is mandatory and therefore must be complied with. No argument about that. By simply being registered with CORGI we are deemed to be able to self-certify, for work we are legally competent to undertake.

The regulations surrounding self-certification demand the local authority concerned is notified within 30 days. That can be done by CORGI electronically but nothing in the regulations says it has to be done electronically.

In my view a Certificate of Compliance with the Building Regulations given to both the customer and the local authority, within 30 days of completion, must be deemed to comply. I can find no contrary evidence. I would however recommend anyone taking this route, add their qualifications to the Certificate for all work cited.

I see no other way to attempt full compliance without compromising long-held principles.

The way forward

CORGI need to be forced to concentrate wholly on their mandate from the HSE. All else needs to be dealt with - whatever happens - using a name other than CORGI or any likeness. In addition the corporate logo must be shelved, in favour of the traditional logo, which an earlier HSE review regarded as important to retain. I do not want to see the corporate logo again.

Their self-certifcation role is carried out under the auspices of CORGI Services Ltd, a separate company. That name needs to be shelved also. The word CORGI should only be permitted in connection with the HSE mandate, and no other.  Anything more confuses.

Whatever else CORGI do then is their business but those businesses must operate elsewhere under a different name. There must be no computer link-up between CORGI (HSE) and any other business. They must be kept wholly separate and customer data held fanatically sacrosanct.

Personally I think the current situation is the last straw and I doubt anyone offended by CORGI's behaviour would or could ever have confidence in them again. It will take many years to repair the damage and restore faith, even if they are brought under firm control today. If they want respect they'll have to earn it.

Data Protection rules obvioulsy need to be revised to take account of CORGI's unique position. Democracy and the Human Rights Act are currently undermined by CORGI's extraordinary and unchallenged commercial philandering.

Registered Gas Installers are, or were, completely at the mercy of CORGI's whims. I say the time has come to challenge that and adopt an alternative but as far as possible compliant strategy, until the situation improves.

CORGI must also be required to provide a loose-leaf essential gas safety handbook to every operative, directly to their home, with monthly, where necessary, updates. The updates will simply be one or two replacement pages.

I will also be insisting CORGI stop sending masses of environmently unfriendly paper every month to Installers, all of which is tragically wasted. People should be asked to opt-in (not out) for that junk mail.

Bullying

There are Registered Gas Installers who do not ordinarily fit gas appliances. Nothing unusual about that. For many people gas work is only undertaken occasionally or incidental to other work.

Those Installers receive letters from time to time from CORGI asking them to write back and certify they do not fit appliances. That must by any standard amount to harrassment and bullying and must be stopped forthwith. Again the Human Rights Act applies.

I do not get letters from Building Control asking me to confirm I no longer build extensions and have not converted my home into a factory. There is no difference. It is yet again an expression of CORGI's arrogance and perceived power. They must be stopped and they must be stopped now.