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FACTSHEET and Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) Subject:
Role of Trading Standards in the UK
Relevant or
Related Legislation:
The Trading Standards
Service is responsible for enforcing over 80 Acts of Parliament including:
The Weights and Measures Act 1985
The Trade Descriptions Act 1968
The Consumer Protection Act 1986
The Consumer Credit Act 1974
Enforcement provisions under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2002
A full list of the
legislation Trading Standards enforce is available on the
Trading
Standards Institute Website
Key Facts:
• The role of Trading
Standards Departments is to promote a fair market in consumer goods and
services. There are 202 local Weights and Measures Authorities in England, Scotland and
Wales.
• In England, Scotland
and Wales, Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing a wide range
of statutory provisions in relation to consumer protection and for
bringing criminal prosecutions where necessary. In Northern Ireland the
Department for Enterprise Trade and Investment is responsible for this
enforcement.
• Trading Standards
Departments are a function of local government and are funded by local
tax money. Although in recent years the Government has put in money to
improve Trading Standards enforcement via a Modernisation
Fund. Each Local Authority is responsible for its service and
decides its priorities and resources.
• Local Authority
Trading Standards services protect consumers and
honest traders by ensuring that trade is carried out lawfully, fairly
and safely.
• Trading
Standards Departments carry out a variety of tasks, for example in
a single week a Trading Standards Department might:
•
Raid a factory manufacturing counterfeit goods
• Check on animal health at a rural market
• Attempt to purchase age restricted goods such as cigarettes, glue,
video’s rated ‘18’ and knives using children under strict supervision
• Test the petrol pumps at a local garage for good measure
• Give a talk to a school about consumer rights
• Seize unsafe toys at a local shop
• Check consumer credit displays at an electrical store
.
• Some Trading Standards Departments provide
civil law advice on issues such as faulty goods, which may help
consumers get their money back when things go wrong.
At the moment it is up to each local
authority to decide if they should provide this service. However the
government has begun implementation of a nationwide telephone service
called Consumer Direct. By 2006 all
Consumers will have access to a telephone and internet advice service.
In the meantime, if you Local Authority does not provide such a service
you may wish to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau in your area. The
telephone number will be in your local phone book.
• The Trading Standards
Service also offers business advice to traders to help them comply with
Trading Standards legislation relevant to them.
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1.
How do I complain about a trader?
Consumers’
complaints about the activities of a trader should be directed to your
local Trading Standards Department. You can find the
address and telephone numbers of your local authority's Trading Standards Department
on the www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
website by entering your local postcode.
Details may also be found in the Yellow Pages Directory under ‘Local
Services’ or your local phone book. If you prefer you can complain via
a website: www.consumercomplaints.org.uk/
- your complaint will be directed to your local Trading Standards
Department.
Q2.
Who do I contact if I am not satisfied with the service provided
by my local Trading Standards?
Local authorities are
responsible for the services they provide. Complaints of the activities
of a Trading Standards
Department should be directed to the Chief Executive of the Council
concerned.
If you remain
dissatisfied you may write to your Local Government Ombudsman.
Details can be found on the following websites according to your
area:
England: www.lgo.org.uk
Scotland: www.scottishombudsman.org.uk
Wales: www.ombudsman-wales.org
Northern Ireland: www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk/whocomp.htm
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