Legal and Safety Aspects

Understanding Legal and Safety Aspects

• Legal and safety aspects in visual merchandising apply to a range of issues including the health and safety of customers and staff, compliancy with Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) regulations, and adherence to copyright laws.

Health and Safety Regulations

• Health and safety regulations are vital in visual merchandising to ensure the exhibition and promotion of goods does not compromise the physical safety of customers or staff.
• Key elements include securely fixing displays to prevent falls, avoiding trip hazards and ensuring the visibility of emergency exits.

Advertising Standards Authority Regulations

• The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) enforces regulations to ensure all advertising, including visual merchandising, is truthful and not misleading.
• Infringement of ASA guidelines can result in hefty fines and damaging public relations issues.

Copyright Law

• Merchandisers must be mindful of copyright law when creating displays, particularly when using images, logos or designs owned by others.
• Failure to obtain appropriate permissions or licenses to use copyrighted material can result in legal action.

Interpreting Equality Act

• The Equality Act 2010 requires that disabled customers have the same access to retail premises and displays as other customers.
• This means merchandising displays must be accessible and not obstruct movement for customers with disabilities.

Benefits of Complying With Legal and Safety Aspects

• Routine adherence to legal and safety aspects bolsters a company’s reputation for responsible practice, enhancing consumer trust and loyalty.
• It can also prevent expensive litigation, fines or compensation claims from breaches of regulations or accidents.

**Implementing Legal and Safety Aspects **

• A successful implementation of legal and safety aspects in visual merchandising requires knowledge of relevant regulations and constant vigilance to maintain compliance.
• Regular audits of merchandising displays help to identify potential issues and risks, allowing for prompt rectification.
• All staff should be trained in these aspects to ensure consistent application and respect for these protocols.

In conclusion, the legal and safety aspects of visual merchandising are indispensable, influencing every aspect of display construction and maintenance. They serve to protect both the brand and its consumers, supporting a safe and ethically sound shopping environment.