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Journal of Trading Standards, Online Edition - JoTS Online

Welcome to the Journal of Trading Standards online edition, JoTS Online. Browse through our latest Articles - including Analysis, Opinion Pieces, Features and a selection of articles from our acclaimed print journal.

Although many JoTS Online articles are open access (public), others are exclusive to CTSI Members - in which case, you'll need to login to access them. If you aren't a member of CTSI yet, you can join us here. And, if you'd like to contribute articles or suggest topics for us to cover, please email our Editorial Team.

Latest JoTS Online Articles : 

News Category Tags: Crime, Product Safety, Health and Safety, Counterfeit Goods, Retail, Animal Health and Welfare, Legal and Policy, Enforcement Practice, Product Recalls, Property and Housing, Automotive, Vapes, Business, CTSI Conference, CTSI Hero Awards.

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Keeping an eye on Christmas safety

Posted: 18 December 2019

ANALYSIS: Cheap festive bargains can carry hidden risks. As Christmas spending rises, this article explains how unsafe lights, decorations and seasonal products reach the market, and offers practical advice for safer shopping.
 

Matt Allwright: Letting away with it

Posted: 17 December 2019

OPINION: Drawing on experiences filming Rogue Traders, Matt Allwright argues that weak regulation has allowed rogue letting agents to exploit tenants, and calls for stronger oversight of a rapidly expanding private rental sector.
 

Seeing red over the 'red tape challenge'

Posted: 17 December 2019

OPINION: Much of everyday life depends on unseen systems of regulation that consumers rarely notice until they fail. This piece argues that dismissing essential protections as 'red tape' risks undermining the safeguards on which society relies.
 

No such thing as an 'everyday' tragedy

Posted: 17 December 2019

OPINION: From defective tumble dryers to Grenfell, major product safety failures demonstrate the human cost of regulatory shortcomings. The article argues that preventing so-called everyday tragedies demands sustained commitment to effective enforcement.
 

Interview: Dr Tim Day

Posted: 17 December 2019

ANALYSIS: Dr Tim Day reflects on his career tackling rogue traders and doorstep crime, discussing what motivates his work, the impact on victims and why stronger deterrents and better enforcement remain essential.
 

Doing without... test purchasing

Posted: 17 December 2019

OPINION: Test purchasing is often misunderstood despite its central role in preventing underage sales of knives and other restricted goods. This article defends the practice and explains why it remains an essential enforcement tool.
 

Obituary: Bob Charlesworth

Posted: 15 December 2019

UPDATES: CTSI pays tribute to Bob Charlesworth, whose remarkable career stretched from pre-war weights and measures work to distinguished wartime service and decades of commitment to the profession and Institute.
 

10 years of Fake-Free Markets charter

Posted: 02 December 2019

UPDATES: More than a decade after its launch, the Real Deal Fake-Free Markets charter continues to help markets tackle counterfeit goods, demonstrating how voluntary partnerships between traders and trading standards protect consumers.
 

Obituary: Mike Gutowski

Posted: 28 November 2019

UPDATES: A tribute to Mike Gutowski celebrates a distinguished trading standards career devoted to consumer education, professional development and public service, while reflecting on the lasting influence he had across the profession.
 

Interview: Graham Russell

Posted: 27 November 2019

ANALYSIS: Graham Russell reflects on the UK's evolving product safety system, the challenges created by new technologies and complex supply chains, and the role of regulation in protecting consumers while supporting innovation and business.
 

CTSI warns on Black Friday sales

Posted: 27 November 2019

UPDATES: Before rushing into Black Friday deals, consumers are urged to compare prices carefully, plan purchases and avoid being misled by discounts that may not represent genuine savings.
 

Rise in scams and modern slavery

Posted: 27 November 2019

UPDATES: New findings reveal the growing links between scams, modern slavery and organised crime, showing how vulnerable people are exploited and why coordinated enforcement remains essential.
 

Eight safety rules for working in an office

Posted: 22 November 2019

SPONSORED: Good office safety relies on practical everyday habits. Eight straightforward measures help employers reduce risks, prevent illness and injury, and create a healthier working environment.
 

TS services stop 20m illegal products

Posted: 08 November 2019

UPDATES: A new report quantifies the economic and social value delivered by local trading standards services, revealing the scale of illegal products removed from the marketplace and the wider benefits of enforcement.
 

Ensure your home workplace is suitable

Posted: 05 November 2019

SPONSORED: Working from home demands more than a laptop on the kitchen table. Practical advice explains how to create a safe, productive workspace that supports wellbeing and effective working.
 

Whirlpool report highlights TS cuts

Posted: 01 November 2019

UPDATES: A parliamentary report into the Whirlpool appliance controversy renews scrutiny of product safety failures while highlighting the pressures facing trading standards services after years of budget reductions.
 

4 business trends to continue in 2020

Posted: 31 October 2019

SPONSORED: Changing consumer expectations and wider social trends continue to reshape business strategy, with several emerging practices expected to remain important well beyond 2020.
 

CTSI calls for seasonal safety

Posted: 30 October 2019

UPDATES: CTSI urges families to keep safety at the centre of Halloween and Bonfire Night, warning against cheap costumes, counterfeit goods and unsafe firework use as stretched trading standards teams face seasonal risks.
 

Don’t get a nasty scare this Halloween

Posted: 25 October 2019

OPINION: Halloween’s rise as a consumer event brings real product safety risks, from flammable costumes and unsafe accessories to online purchases that may not meet UK standards. Practical checks can prevent a frightening celebration becoming a lasting injury.
 

UK ECC prepares for half term

Posted: 23 October 2019

UPDATES: UK ECC reassures families travelling to Europe during autumn half-term that it will continue handling cross-border consumer disputes after Brexit, while warning that no-deal changes could affect package travel, timeshare protection and small claims routes.