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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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Opinion: Feeling puzzled?
Posted: 30 June 2021
OPINION: Brexit, the pandemic and shifting consumer behaviour have exposed deep structural pressures on trading standards. Solving the profession's future requires fitting together every piece of an increasingly complex policy and enforcement puzzle.
New Board members discuss future vision
Posted: 18 June 2021
OPINION: Newly elected CTSI Board members outline their priorities for the Institute's future, discussing professional leadership, consumer protection, governance and how trading standards can strengthen its influence and public profile.
On the state of trading standards
Posted: 26 May 2021
OPINION: High-profile scam cases continue to expose the consequences of years of declining Trading Standards resources. Stronger enforcement, better funding and greater political commitment are needed to protect consumers effectively.
The dangers of disloyalty
Posted: 07 January 2021
OPINION: A personal reflection on consumer loyalty argues that businesses earn lasting trust through consistent standards, while poor service and complacency can quickly undermine even long-established customer relationships.
Our next CEO must love the word ‘no’
Posted: 14 December 2020
OPINION: The next CTSI chief executive must be willing to challenge government, reject easy compromises and rebuild the profession’s influence after austerity, Brexit and COVID-19 exposed the need for stronger leadership.
Voices from the Front Line
Posted: 10 December 2020
OPINION: Frontline trading standards professionals describe how COVID-19 changed workloads, priorities and enforcement pressures, revealing the strain on small teams as they adapted services during a national crisis.
Delivering ‘gold standard’ service
Posted: 15 November 2020
OPINION: A personal reflection on professional standards, public service and leadership argues that delivering a consistently high-quality Trading Standards service depends on commitment, integrity and continual improvement.
Fighting another deadly pandemic
Posted: 19 October 2020
OPINION: Preventing underage knife sales remains a vital part of tackling knife crime. Drawing on National Trading Standards test purchasing results, this opinion piece argues for continued enforcement, retailer engagement and sustained investment.
In partnership against the pandemic
Posted: 13 August 2020
OPINION: Reflecting on the response to COVID-19, this piece explores how collaboration between OPSS, CTSI and local authority Trading Standards strengthened consumer protection, supported businesses and demonstrated the value of coordinated partnership working during a national emergency.
10 years of the Consumer Code
Posted: 21 July 2020
OPINION: Ten years after the Consumer Code for Home Builders began, its chair reflects on the Code’s growth, the importance of independent dispute resolution and the need to keep improving protection for new-build buyers.
Doing without... enforcers
Posted: 02 July 2020
OPINION: Locked up in my bedroom, away from the noises of the Fortnite Victory Royale taking place in my son’s room, I am zoning into my work. I am...
Sometimes invisible, always inspirational
Posted: 02 July 2020
OPINION: Having been away from the profession for over three years working in energy regulation, it is an inspiring time to be back to see the important and diverse...
When uncertain meets unprecedented
Posted: 02 July 2020
OPINION: After months of twists and turns, the UK officially exited the EU at 11pm on January 31, 2020, and entered into the transition period which will end on...
Home truths about public protection
Posted: 02 July 2020
OPINION: It’s late March. I’ve just had a food order delivered. It’s a fortnight after we booked one of the few remaining slots knowing that there was a good...
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.
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.
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.
Interview: Danny Ireland
Posted: 01 August 2019
OPINION: CTSI Chief Executive Danny Ireland reflects on moving from banking into trading standards, leading organisational change, developing people and the priorities guiding the Institute's future direction.
