What powers do trading standards officers have?

What powers do trading standards officers have?

During the course of an investigation trading standards officers are able to: Investigate criminal offences with similar powers to that of the police. Prosecute individuals and business in criminal court. Seize any documentation or goods that can be used as evidence in their case.

What will trading standards do?

Trading Standards use the information you give them to investigate unfair trading and illegal business activity, like rogue traders and scams. Trading Standards can take businesses to court or stop them operating, but they won’t help you fix your problem – for example, they can’t help you get a refund.

What is a trading standards enforcement officer?

Trading standards officers act on behalf of consumers and businesses to advise on and enforce laws that govern the way goods and services are bought, sold and hired. As a trading standards officer (TSO), you’ll advise on consumer law and investigate complaints.

What happens if reported to trading standards?

the trader will have a criminal record. a punishment or sentence. Trading standards offences can usually be punished with a fine, and in many cases the amount is unlimited. For the most serious cases imprisonment is an option, with maximum periods of up to two years for some trading standards offences.

Can Trading Standards send you to jail?

How do you spot a rogue trader?

Apparent diligence The rogue trader is always in first to amend overnight reports in private and often never takes holidays, as they can’t risk giveaway signs coming to light in their absence. Unexplained profits or losses Some rogue traders deliberately create losing positions to offset and disguise excess profits.

What areas do Trading Standards cover?

National Trading Standards gathers intelligence from around the country to protect businesses and consumers from criminal activity and tackle a number of priorities. These currently cover e-crime, mass marketing scams, doorstep crime, and other enforcement issues that go beyond local authority boundaries.

What qualifications do I need to be in trading standards?

You’ll then study towards professional qualifications on the job, and work your way up to trading standards officer. You’ll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths. Some authorities may also want you to have 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.

Do trading standards only help consumers?

Aren’t trading standards services just there to protect consumers rather than businesses? No. Although most trading standards law is intended to protect consumers, breaches of trading standards law put honest, reputable, compliant businesses at a disadvantage.

How do I complain about a Trading Standards officer?

Trading standards services are delivered by your local authority and consumer concerns should be reported to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Who hosts rogue traders?

Matt Allwright
Rogue Traders is a BBC One investigative/undercover consumer affairs television programme starring Matt Allwright, an investigative journalist, and Dan Penteado, a private investigator and Allwright’s co-host.

Why do you need to be a trading standards officer?

Trading standards professionals act on behalf of consumers and business. They advise on and enforce laws that govern the way we buy, sell, rent and hire goods and services. Trading standards officers (TSOs) work for local councils advising on consumer law, investigating complaints and, if all else fails, prosecuting traders who break the law.

What do you call someone who enforces trading standards?

Job titles and qualifications vary between different local authorities and between different functions, but for the purposes of this guide they are referred to as trading standards officers, or TSOs. Trading standards services enforce the law across a range of subject areas, including:

Where does the trading standards service take place?

The trading standards service is often located in larger departments within local government, such as community protection, environmental health and the chief executive’s office. Because of this, the designated responsibilities of TSOs differ from department to department, as does the budget allocation and management structure.

Are there any enforcement options for trading standards?

However, trading standards services always have formal enforcement options available to them.