A blog about the work of Trading Standards in the UK
I previously wrote about unit pricing here http://tradingstandardsblog.co.uk/unit-pricing-comparing-costs-and-value To summarise, unit pricing requires retailers to show how much something costs by some form of unit so that consumers can compare costs across range. Below is a photo taken at Tesco Continue reading Unit pricing – comparing costs and value – part 2
THIS ARTICLE IS NOW OUT OF DATE – KEPT PUBLIC FOR HISTORICAL VIEWING My Trading Standards department has received a large number queries which tend to fall into two categories: can a particular business stay open a business is still Continue reading Coronavirus – can a business stay open / should we be working?
Retailers are increasing their prices during the corona virus outbreak – what can Trading Standards do? There is no law that says retailers cannot increase prices as and when they want. We live in a supposedly capitalist free market economy Continue reading Coronavirus – price increases / rip off
In England, Scotland and Wales, Trading Standards departments are delivered via local councils. I believe there are around 200 trading standards departments. In Northern Ireland the Trading Standards department is provided by one department. Do we need a national UK Continue reading Do we need a national Trading Standards department?
In this post I am going to talk about Action Fraud – but seeing as this is a Trading Standards blog, I will try and discuss issues that are relevant to Trading Standards. There is some overlap in the work Continue reading Trading Standards not dealing with complaints
Most laws Trading Standards enforce are about ensuring: consumers have certain information the information consumers receive is accurate products are safe Trading Standards laws generally do not get involved in cost or value. What I mean by that is that Continue reading Unit pricing – comparing costs and value
A few years ago I made a comment that the cuts to Trading Standards were so severe that we were going past the point of being able to return (in the short to medium term) even if all the money Continue reading Skills shortage in Trading Standards?
Most people consider their medical records to be highly confidential and would not want them available to anyone else with their consent. But should they be able to? Let me give you two examples. 1 – a guy was offering Continue reading Should Trading Standards be able to access medical records?
A very common consumer question – which goes along the lines of: I have bought an item from a shop/retailer which is faulty – I have taken it back to the shop but they tell me to go to the Continue reading Who is liable for faulty goods – the retailer or manufacturer?
Some businesses have an internet shop (online) and a normal shop (offline). They may wish to charge less for their products on the online shop. Can they do this? The simple answer is yes they can charge different amounts if Continue reading Can a shop charge more in store than on the internet?