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.

Cost-of-living pressure points

Posted: 25 June 2022

ANALYSIS: Rising prices, soaring energy bills and wider economic uncertainty are reshaping consumer behaviour and enforcement priorities. This analysis considers the implications of the cost-of-living crisis for trading standards.

CTSI Conference 2022: A retrospective

Posted: 24 June 2022

UPDATES: Highlights from the 2022 CTSI Conference in Bristol, where trading standards professionals shared expertise, explored emerging challenges and reflected on the key themes shaping consumer protection.

Hiding in plain sight

Posted: 24 June 2022

ANALYSIS: Operation CeCe has strengthened the fight against illicit tobacco through new funding and closer partnership working, but frontline officers argue that limited resources, inconsistent intelligence sharing and inadequate follow-up continue to hamper efforts against organised criminal networks.

ACG Awards winners announced

Posted: 20 June 2022

UPDATES: Enforcement professionals from Border Force, Trading Standards, police and industry have been recognised at the 2022 ACG Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in protecting intellectual property rights and tackling counterfeiting across the UK.

Minister is FAS millionth recruit

Posted: 16 June 2022

UPDATES: Friends Against Scams has welcomed its millionth recruit as Consumer Minister Paul Scully becomes a SCAMbassador, highlighting the scheme's growing impact, national reach and success in helping people recognise and report fraud.

‘Proper enforcement’ needed on tobacco

Posted: 10 June 2022

UPDATES: CTSI has welcomed the Khan Review's ambitious proposals to reduce smoking, while stressing that stronger enforcement, adequate funding and clear arrangements for Trading Standards will be essential if tougher tobacco controls are to succeed.

CTSI Conference 2022 preview

Posted: 08 June 2022

UPDATES: From keynote sessions and masterclasses to networking, exhibitions and specialist workshops, this preview outlines what delegates can expect from the 2022 CTSI Conference in Bristol and why this year's programme promises broad professional value.

MPs sign button battery pledge

Posted: 08 June 2022

UPDATES: MPs, safety campaigners and industry representatives have signed a pledge to improve button battery safety, backing greater awareness, stronger product protections and coordinated action to prevent further child injuries and fatalities.

TSS cracks down on lead generator

Posted: 07 June 2022

UPDATES: Trading Standards Scotland has reported an English lead generation company after concerns over misleading energy efficiency marketing, while urging consumers to seek independent advice before sharing personal details or agreeing to home improvement work.

Feeling the squeeze

Posted: 07 June 2022

OPINION: Mounting financial pressures are placing consumers under unprecedented strain just as public services face shrinking resources. Protecting the most vulnerable will require sustained investment, realistic expectations and a recognition that demand peaks when times are hardest.

Understanding the ABCs of CBD

Posted: 07 June 2022

ANALYSIS: Rapid growth in the CBD market has created complex regulatory challenges. This analysis explains the legal status of cannabidiol, the distinction from medicinal cannabis, novel food requirements and the practical enforcement issues facing Trading Standards.

CPPD Module 22: Leadership

Posted: 07 June 2022

DEVELOPMENT: Effective leadership demands far more than authority alone. This CPPD module explores authenticity, personal development, organisational culture and the skills needed to lead confidently through increasing complexity and constrained public sector resources.

Why fair pricing matters

Posted: 06 June 2022

OPINION: A chance purchase in central London becomes a reminder that fair pricing is about far more than value for money. From behavioural influences to consumer vulnerability, this argues that transparent, honest pricing remains fundamental to consumer protection.

A new voice for Trading Standards

Posted: 06 June 2022

OPINION: CTSI's new Director of Policy and Public Affairs reflects on arriving in the profession, the breadth of consumer protection issues ahead and the importance of giving Trading Standards a stronger voice during a period of significant change.

Weighing up the options

Posted: 31 May 2022

ANALYSIS: As ministers revisit the use of imperial measurements, this examines the practical, economic and regulatory implications of reintroducing imperial markings, asking whether the proposal would benefit consumers or simply create unnecessary complexity.

'Clarification needed' on imperial

Posted: 30 May 2022

UPDATES: CTSI has renewed calls for greater clarity and a full impact assessment as proposals to expand the use of imperial measurements continue, warning that uncertainty could create unnecessary costs and confusion for businesses, enforcers and consumers.