Association of British Introduction Agencies

The Association of British Introduction Agencies (ABIA) is a professional body responsible for the regulation of authorized dating agencies in the United Kingdom. Although it acts independently of government, it is recognized by the Office of Fair Trading as an official regulatory body of the UK’s dating industry with its own independent complaint procedures to safe-guard the public and compliance procedures ensuring that a code of ethics is carried out by all its members in the industry.
Objectives
The ABIA states its objectives as:
* To promote a fair and ethical way of carrying out an introduction agency business in the UK by way of a written Code of Conduct and complaints procedures.
* To advise support and assist new and existing ABIA members in running an effective introductions agency in the UK.
* To provide members of the public with fair Terms and Conditions including a fair refund policy.
The ABIA council also runs a consultancy service for those people who are considering setting up an introduction agency.
Remit
The ABIA’s remit also includes online dating sites and assurance that Terms and conditions adhere to both UK and European Law. With the rise of online dating companies and the non-compulsory measures for dating companies to join the ABIA, its regulatory measures are limited to current members only.
History
This ABIA was set up in the early 1980s with a view to protecting the consumer within the dating industry. Its founder was John Patterson, who started the very first successful computer dating agency, called Dateline. He created a Code of Practice and invited agencies to join accordingly. The agencies, who became members in those early days, were carefully monitored by John Patterson personally and he also set up a complaints procedure.
Recognition
The Office of Fair Trading acknowledged the ABIA and awarded a kite mark to the Association in the 1990s, but at present the OFT are considering a new form of recognition for different industries.
Organisation
It is funded entirely by fees charged to the agency members. The ABIA is based in London. Heather Heber Percy.

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