Groceries Code Adjudicator formally established
The Groceries Code Adjudicator Act creates the Groceries Code Adjudicator to ensure supermarkets treat their suppliers lawfully and fairly.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) is formally established by Act of Parliament today [25 June 2013].
The Groceries Code Adjudicator can receive confidential complaints and evidence about how large supermarket retailers are treating their direct suppliers.
If she finds there has been a breach of the Groceries Supply Code, she will be able to:
- make recommendations
- require retailers to publish details of their breach
- in the most serious cases, impose a fine
The Groceries Code Adjudicator can also arbitrate between retailers and their direct suppliers.
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The appointed adjudicator
Earlier this year it was announced that Christine Tacon had been appointed as the Adjudicator-Designate. Ms Tacon has held numerous roles within the food and farming industries, and in 2004 was awarded a CBE for services to agriculture.
Christine Tacon, Groceries Code Adjudicator
Timeline for the Groceries Code Adjudicator
We will shortly be publishing our guidance for consultation. This will set out how the Groceries Code Adjudicator intends to use her powers. It will explain how she intends to run investigations, and suggest how and when sanctions will be applied. The consultation will be open to the public to comment.
Submitting a complaint about a supermarket
Please bear in mind that we will only be able to launch investigations after we have completed our consultation and finalised our guidance. We anticipate this will be by the end of the year. If you would like to lodge a complaint now, please read How to complain to the Groceries Code Adjudicator.