Trading Standards Officers

Trading Standards Officers enforce the law and regulations (see our Legislation Enforced page) that govern goods and services which we buy, hire and sell, but they also provide an important advice service to industry.

They not only visit local traders to audit their business practices but also inspect all weighing and measuring equipment used for trade, monitor and check advertisements for accuracy, inspect and test goods for safety and licence many types of activity to ensure consumers are protected from unscrupulous traders. (See our Licensing Pages).

Where there is a criminal aspect to any complaints received or matters discovered during an audit, the Trading Standards Officer has power to recommend that a prosecution takes place. This may require the officer to attend the Magistrates or High Bailiffs Court as an expert witness.