The Association has just over 180 Members. Our membership has diversified to include the wide range of businesses that thrive in Jersey. There is a reason for this – members find a positive benefit in belonging to an organisation which promotes growth, sustainability and innovation.
As a marketing tool the Genuine Jersey mark is unique in Jersey. It not only benefits those individuals or industries involved in the production of goods but it endorses the ‘Jersey’ brand, helping to generate a pride in the quality and value of Genuine Jersey products.
Below you will find the answers to the following questions - if the answer to your question is not listed please contact John@GenuineJersey.com.
1 How do I apply to become a Member of the Genuine Jersey Products Association?
2 How much does it cost?
3 What benefits do I receive from being a Member?
4 How is the Association regulated?
5 How is Genuine Jersey promoted?
6 How is Genuine Jersey funded?
How do I use the Genuine Jersey Mark? (This section for members includes advice on how to use the distinctive Genuine Jersey mark on your packaging, products and promotional literature to ensure the brand integrity is maintained).
1 How do I apply to become a Member of the Genuine Jersey Products Association?
If you are interested in becoming a Member please read the Charter and then complete and return the GJPA Membership Application Form 2025 pdf or Online Google Form and post or e-mail it to John Garton, Genuine Jersey Products Association, 31 The Parade, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3QQ or John@GenuineJersey.com. An officer from the Association will arrange to meet you, to understand your production method and confirm that your goods meet the strict criteria.
Applications are considered by the GJPA Management Committee who meet quarterly and will ask applicants to supply a profile of their product(s). Membership will only be granted for products which currently exist. It is the product, not the producer, that is permitted to carry the mark and where a member introduces new products, a separate application must be made although there won’t be any additional charge.
If you have any queries about membership, please email John@GenuineJersey.com.
All applicants must comply with Jersey Financial Services Commission requirements, the Control of Housing and Work (Jersey) Law 2012 and any other relevant legislation (the following is meant as a guide only and specific advice should be sought from the relevant department):
Requirement to Register your Business Name:
Every individual having a place of business in Jersey and carrying on business under a business name which does not consist of his or her true surname without any addition other than his or her true first names or the initials thereof is required to register their business name.
To do this you need to go and see the Population Office in Social Security, La Motte Street, to obtain your sole traders license and also complete the NB01 form to register the Business Name. Both documents will need to be returned to the Population Office. Once completed the Business Name application will be sent to the JFSC by the Population Office in order for them to process the application. There is a fee of £61.
[info from a new Member… to register a Business Name online you have to register for the JFSC My Registry portal and complete the online form, as well as completing form RBN1 as an attachment, and pay online. Also, if you are exempt from a Business Licence you can get around the compulsory online field by entering ‘000000’ and if you do less than 8 hrs per week you can enter ‘N/a <8hrs’ in the Undertakings box.]
If you intend to be working in your small business less than 8 hours per week, then as the Control of Housing and Work Law stands at the moment, you can be exempt from obtaining a business licence to trade (i.e. Registering the business.)
Any monies you earn from your small business will need to be declared as ‘additional earned income’ on your personal tax return, under section 15, additional income. To note, the disadvantage of not setting up as a business is that you won't be able to deduct any expenses from your small business before you declare your income.
If you find your small business begins to grow and you find you are working 8 hours or more per week, then legally you will need to obtain a business licence to trade.
It is important to note that even when setting up as a small business you are required by law to register your business for Data Protection, take a look below:-
- Register the business for Data Protection with the JOIC ( if you will be holding/processing any personal details of customers/clients), link to the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner https://jerseyoic.org/search-the-registry/.
Also, as with all businesses regardless of the size, it is recommend that you get some Business Insurance. The Insurance Company will advise you further on this (Public Liability, and Employer’s Liability Insurance-if employing staff.)
You may of course decide at this time to set up as self-employed, and so register as a business, even though you are not legally bound to do so. If this is the case then I would recommend you have a good read of our website page on Starting up as a Sole Trader/ Partnership in Jersey https://www.jerseybusiness.je/starting-up/starting-sole-trader-partnership-jersey/. This will provide you with the most important things you need to do to successfully plan your business.
Checklist
Checklist for getting started up in business as a Sole Trader. The points mentioned are in no particular order, but please consider them all important when setting up in business correctly; though in the case of the first 2 points, they are Legalities/Formalities:-
- Register the business (Trading Licence - you must have this approved before you trade.)
- Register the business for Data Protection with the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner- JOIC (if you will be holding any personal details of customers/clients), link to the JOIC https://jerseyoic.org/search-the-registry/
- Speak to Social Security Dept about your Contributions (Ordinarily Class 2 for self-employed.)
- Speak to Tax (ITIS if you have employees.) Complete the self-employed section of your Personal Income Tax Return (long version of form)
- Get Business Insurance (enquire about Insurance now, the Insurance Company will advise you further (e.g. Public Liability Insurance, and Employer’s Liability Insurance-if employing staff)
- Request a Business Bank Account
The Government website also has some useful information on starting up a business, here’s a link to their website https://www.gov.je/Industry/BusinessAdviceHub/StartingABusiness/Pages/home.aspx. They also offer a step by step guide on starting up a business in Jersey, and can particularly advise in the area of registration of a business. Take a look at this quick link to their portal for Business Licence applications https://bit.ly/3Le2g4V. If you need to you can contact the Business Hub on 01534 444444, or by email clsbusinesshub@gov.je
Membership fees range from £156 per year for an individual up to £1,386 per year for a company depending on the number of employees the applicant has. Subscriptions are renewable every January. Please see point 1 above for details. (Note: Fees are charged pro-rata to the number of full months remaining in the year.) No fees are chargesd to students who are under 25 years of age and in full time education.
3 What benefits do I receive from being a member?
Membership enables companies and individuals to:
i) use the distinctive Genuine Jersey mark on packaging, products and advertising material.
ii) have a page on the Association web site.
iii) tap into professional public relations and social media campaigns to help raise awareness of their business and products - PR advice.
iv) attend a wide range of events and activities to maximise business opportunities.
v) access special discounted rates for advertising promotions and subsidised rates to attend some events.
vi) receive advice on branding, promotional mechanics, changes to legislation and local market conditions.
vii) can apply for financial support to develop labelling and packaging for approved goods.
viii) can apply for code to undertake on-line Level 2 Food Safety & Hygeine for Catering Course.
ix) New Members can also apply to join the Associations Commercial Combined Insurance Policy offered through and support by local insurance experts Islands, at a reduced premium. This scheme is for Members with turnover of less than £75k per annum. There are 3 levels of cover:
Level 1. Public & Product Liability cover of £5,000,000 – annual premium £135 for Members.
Level 2. Public & Product Liability cover of £5,000,000 plus stock in trade and business equipment cover of £5,000 – annual premium £185 for Members.
Level 3. Public & Product Liability cover of £5,000,000 plus stock in trade and business equipment cover of £10,000 – annual premium £235 for Members.
Optional cover extensions of Employers’ Liability and Commercial Legal Protection are also available.
New Members interested in joining this scheme need to complete this pdf form and e-mail it to John Garton.
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4 How is the Association regulated?
Membership of the Association is strictly regulated to ensure only those who can prove their products are genuinely Jersey are allowed to join. All applications have to be approved by the Management Committee which goes to great lengths to ensure every product meets the Genuine Jersey criteria before it can display the distinctive mark.
The honorary Management Committee includes three Members, representatives from various government departments and an independent chairman and vice-chairman.
The Management Committee includes a Trading Standards Officer who works in conjunction with Genuine Jersey’s CEO. They carry out spot checks on Members to ensure that products continue to comply with the original terms of their licence and carry the correct packaging and labelling.
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5 How is Genuine Jersey promoted?
The Association spends in the region of £20,000 each year advertising the mark and encouraging consumers and shoppers to 'Look for the mark before you buy'. A similar amount is spend prooting the brand and Members on social media. The mark is also displayed on a variety of products and point of sale material. In addition, a growing number of members have chosen to use the mark on their delivery vans which are seen by the public as they travel round the Island.
The Association also employs the servises of a professional public relations person who provides the local media with a regular source of stories regarding members, new products and events.
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6 How is Genuine Jersey funded?
In addition to members' subscriptions, the Association receives a grant from the Government of Jersey. The promotion of the Genuine Jersey brand is in accordance with government strategies which promote sustainability and innovation in land use and tourism sectors.
