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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Agents of change

Posted: 25 June 2022

ANALYSIS: Efforts to improve transparency in the property market are encouraging estate and letting agents to publish material information earlier in the sales process, reducing failed transactions and giving consumers greater confidence.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fighting the good fight

Posted: 23 March 2022

ANALYSIS: As trading standards faces shrinking resources and expanding responsibilities, leading voices from across the profession examine how its adaptability can remain a strength without diluting professional identity, exploring leadership, resilience, partnership working and the future direction of the service.

Interview: Professor Kathy Hamilton

Posted: 22 March 2022

ANALYSIS: Consumer vulnerability is shaped by far more than age or income. Professor Kathy Hamilton discusses transformative consumer research, the social and structural factors that create vulnerability, and how this evidence can help trading standards develop more effective, consumer-centred interventions.

Speaking out for consumers

Posted: 22 March 2022

ANALYSIS: Seventy years after its creation, the Consumer Public Interest Network continues to champion the consumer voice in standards development. This feature explores its evolving priorities, the role of volunteer representatives and why meaningful consumer involvement remains central to better standards.

New borders to consumer protection

Posted: 20 January 2022

ANALYSIS: EU Exit has reshaped cross-border consumer protection, from holiday refunds and subscription traps to digital rights, court remedies and enforcement cooperation. With UK consumers losing access to several EU redress routes, the article considers how divergence, litigation barriers and the UK ICC’s advice role may affect confidence in buying from European traders.

The energy to fight climate change

Posted: 13 January 2022

ANALYSIS: Net Zero will transform how consumers heat, insulate and power their homes, creating risks around misleading claims, poor installation, smart meters, heat pumps and domestic energy storage. Trading standards has a vital role in ensuring the transition protects consumers, supports reputable businesses and avoids repeating past green scheme failures.

Touchstone Award success stories

Posted: 06 January 2022

ANALYSIS: The 2021 Touchstone Award highlighted two strong examples of hallmarking enforcement: a Scotland-wide premises and online jewellery project coordinated by SCOTSS, and Hertfordshire’s work with Amazon to improve seller guidance and remove millions of inaccurate gold listings.

The Enterprise Act: A comedy of errors?

Posted: 06 January 2022

ANALYSIS: In July 2017, James Slater was trading as Response Roofing. He had a rather long history of fraud offences and was well known to trading standards across the South East of England, with 97...

CTSI: new TAC a 'curate's egg'

Posted: 18 November 2021

ANALYSIS: CTSI welcomes the new Trade and Agriculture Commission but argues it lacks sufficient consumer protection expertise. The Institute sets out why stronger regulatory representation is needed to ensure future trade agreements maintain high standards for consumers and businesses.