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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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CPPD Module 17: Food Allergens
Posted: 07 January 2020
DEVELOPMENT: A near-fatal allergic reaction to contaminated dip became the foundation of a landmark prosecution. This CPPD module examines food allergen law, investigation techniques and the lessons officers can draw from a complex and high-profile case.
Knife sales: the sharp end
Posted: 07 January 2020
ANALYSIS: Rising knife crime has intensified scrutiny of age-restricted sales. This feature examines the changing legal framework, the challenges facing retailers and enforcement officers, and what the Offensive Weapons Act means in practice.
Company director jailed for 32 months
Posted: 20 December 2019
UPDATES: A Suffolk mobility company director has been jailed, disqualified and made subject to a criminal behaviour order after customers were left without expensive goods or refunds. The case underlines the consequences of persistent unfair commercial practices.
At Christmas, all that glitters is not gold...
Posted: 20 December 2019
ANALYSIS: Hallmarking protects consumers only when retailers comply with the law. A Scottish enforcement project uncovered widespread failures to display Dealers' Notices and identified improperly marked jewellery, highlighting the continuing need for vigilance.
Whirlpool recalls 500,000 machines
Posted: 18 December 2019
UPDATES: Whirlpool has recalled hundreds of thousands of Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines because of a fire risk linked to a door-lock defect. CTSI urges consumers to check affected models and register appliances for future safety recalls.
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.
Illegal cigarette haul seized
Posted: 10 December 2019
UPDATES: Trading standards officers in Salford seized thousands of illicit cigarettes and tobacco products, along with cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act, in a coordinated crackdown on illegal tobacco sales.
Say no to Christmas counterfeits
Posted: 10 December 2019
UPDATES: Trading standards officers warn shoppers to stay alert to counterfeit goods during the Christmas shopping season, highlighting the links between fake products, organised crime and the risks posed to consumers and legitimate businesses.
Christmas toy safety checklist
Posted: 03 December 2019
UPDATES: As seasonal toy buying begins, investigations into products sold online and in shops highlight the importance of checking safety, avoiding harmful substances and choosing toys that meet required standards.
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.
