Trading Standards

Trading Standards are there to ensure a fair and equitable trading environment within the county borough for consumers and local trade and business. Trade and business should not be subjected to unfair competition from those operating outside the law and Consumers should be treated fairly and receive what they are entitled to.

We enforce a wide range of legislation, which relates to standards of quantity, quality, safety, description, pricing, consumer credit and animal health and welfare as follows:

	Need consumer advice? The Consumer Advice Service deals with 2000 complaints every year providing technical and/or legal advice and intervention to residents involved in protracted disputes about goods and services they have bought.
	Want to report an issue to us? Information is received from many sources and investigations are carried out into fraudulent trading practices and serious breaches of legislation. Reporting an issue to us is easy and your details will remain confidential if you would prefer
	Business advice and inspection What we do to protect consumers and how we are helping responsible businesses to profit.
	Scams and scam mailings How to spot a scam and avoid it.
	Doorstep crime and rogue traders Information and advice to help you avoid being conned.
	Trustmark - choosing a reliable tradesperson Information on the Trading Standards Trustmark Scheme. Householders who need to find a reliable trader to work on their home will be able to search a list of approved Trustmark traders. Also traders will find information about how to become an approved Trustmark trader.
	Counterfeit goods How to spot a counterfeit and how to report someone you know or suspect is supplying counterfeit items.
	Underage sales Information and advice for businesses on preventing underage sales and checking for proof of age. For 13 to 16.5 year olds you will also find information about how you can become a test volunteer.
	Food labelling and composition What we do to ensure that food labels are accurate and truthful and that the food sold is of the correct composition.
	Product safety How to report faulty goods with links to guidance leaflets and current product recalls.
	Weights and measures General advice on weights and measures and how to complain if you have bought short weight or short measure goods.
	Smoking ban General information about the smoking ban, reporting a non-compliance and help to quit smoking.
	Animal health and welfare How we enforce legislation relating to animal health and welfare.