The Pensions Regulator has laid out how trustees can implement its revised defined contribution code.

The organisation is aiming to drive up standards on basic duties, such as scheme returns.

It launched a series of 'how to' guides for consultation yesterday. The code and guides are expected to come into force in July this year, the body said.

The guides have been designed to support the new shorter code and explain to trustees how they can demonstrate compliance with the law, officials said.

The code sets out what TPR regards as the 'basic hygiene duties' of a scheme to remain compliant, including key areas such as scheme returns and the chair’s statement.

The consultation on the guides will run until 11 May.

Andrew Warwick Thompson, executive director of regulatory policy at TPR, said: "While the code sets out the standards we expect trustees to meet when complying with the law, the guides provide information on how they can meet those standards in practice.

"By taking an educate and enable approach, we aim to drive up standards on basic duties, such as scheme returns, which some schemes are not meeting but which are extremely important. Ultimately, failure to meet these duties will result in trustees being fined.

"The guides also give helpful best practice examples to show how scheme trustees can meet their duties. I welcome the engagement we have had so far and encourage trustees to respond to the consultation so we can make the guides as useful and relevant as possible."

The six new guides reflect the key areas of the code: the trustee board, scheme management skills, administration, investment governance, value for members, and communicating and reporting.