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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.
Looking back at LTS Week 2018
Posted: 01 October 2018
ANALYSIS: London Trading Standards Week 2018 tackled major consumer issues through themed campaigns, using real enforcement work on used cars, lettings and other priorities to raise awareness and encourage informed purchasing decisions.
Smallholder receives livestock ban
Posted: 28 September 2018
UPDATES: A Dorset smallholder has been prosecuted for serious animal welfare offences, receiving fines and a lengthy ban on keeping poultry and pigs after Trading Standards investigated conditions on the holding.
Speaking out on food allergies
Posted: 28 September 2018
ANALYSIS: Research reveals many young people with food allergies lack the confidence to ask about allergens when eating out. The FSA's Easy to ASK campaign encourages businesses and consumers to improve conversations that could prevent life-threatening reactions.
Leeds supermarket fined for food fraud
Posted: 28 September 2018
UPDATES: A Leeds supermarket and its director were fined after selling mislabelled lamb mince containing beef and food past its use-by date, reinforcing the importance of food safety and accurate product descriptions.
£0.5m knife crime court victory
Posted: 25 September 2018
UPDATES: B&M Retail was ordered to pay more than £490,000 after repeated sales of knives to children during test purchases. The prosecution highlights the consequences of failing to enforce age-restricted sales controls.
LTS: Tackling rogue letting agents
Posted: 21 September 2018
UPDATES: London Trading Standards found widespread failures by letting agents to display legally required fees and client money protection information, while enforcement action continues against rogue operators breaching consumer law.
CTSI urges firms to choose ADR
Posted: 18 September 2018
UPDATES: CTSI is encouraging businesses to join its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, arguing that approved codes and alternative dispute resolution strengthen consumer confidence while helping firms resolve disputes without costly litigation.
LTS Week highlights car safety
Posted: 14 September 2018
UPDATES: Research by London Trading Standards uncovered recalled, clocked, uninsured and untaxed used cars advertised online, alongside practical advice to help consumers avoid unsafe and misrepresented vehicles.
Underage sales big challenge in London
Posted: 14 September 2018
ANALYSIS: Test purchasing across London reveals continuing illegal sales of knives, alcohol and tobacco to children, underlining the need for coordinated enforcement with police and retailers to tackle youth harm and knife crime.
LTS saves Londoners £2m a year
Posted: 12 September 2018
UPDATES: London Trading Standards highlights how partnership working against doorstep crime and fraud has saved residents around £2 million while protecting vulnerable consumers through rapid intervention, training and community engagement.
Fighting fake goods on social media
Posted: 12 September 2018
UPDATES: The Real Deal Online initiative works with social media group administrators and trading standards services to curb counterfeit goods by promoting a voluntary code of practice and stronger online enforcement.
CTSI Brexit Think Tank report released
Posted: 05 September 2018
UPDATES: A CTSI Brexit Think Tank report warns that losing European consumer protection networks, alongside declining trading standards resources, could weaken enforcement, business confidence and consumer safeguards after EU withdrawal.
Sale of unsafe tyres widespread
Posted: 02 September 2018
UPDATES: Joint investigations by TyreSafe and trading standards found unsafe part-worn tyres on sale at most retailers visited, exposing motorists to serious risks and prompting renewed calls for tougher compliance across the sector.
Illegal skin whitener seller jailed
Posted: 24 August 2018
UPDATES: Southwark's prosecution of a repeat seller of banned skin-lightening products has led to the first jail sentence of its kind, after online test purchases uncovered cosmetics containing dangerous levels of hydroquinone.
CTSI supports LTS awareness campaign
Posted: 17 August 2018
UPDATES: CTSI is backing London Trading Standards Week as the capital's 33 services highlight product safety, scams, used cars, housing and underage sales through coordinated consumer and business awareness activity.
EU data roaming charges post-Brexit
Posted: 16 August 2018
ANALYSIS: Free EU data roaming had quickly become part of ordinary travel for UK consumers, but Brexit raised difficult questions over reciprocal network agreements, wholesale charges and whether existing protections could survive outside the Digital Single Market.
Safety & Standards strategy announced
Posted: 16 August 2018
ANALYSIS: The Office for Product Safety and Standards has set out its first strategy, promising stronger national incident response, better recall information, border support and closer work with local authorities, manufacturers and CTSI expertise.
Devon plumber sentenced for fraud
Posted: 13 August 2018
UPDATES: A North Devon plumber has received suspended jail sentences, fines and compensation orders after trading standards uncovered fraudulent invoicing, excessive charges and unsafe work carried out while he was still on licence for earlier offences.
Car dealer guilty of clocking offence
Posted: 13 August 2018
UPDATES: A Bournemouth second-hand car dealer has been ordered to compensate a customer after selling a VW Transporter advertised at 89,000 miles that was later found to have travelled more than 243,000 miles.
Blackburn livestock auction fined
Posted: 10 August 2018
UPDATES: Gisburn Auction Marts has been found guilty after 35 lame sheep were placed in sale pens, with the court identifying procedural failures that could have allowed unfit animals to be sold.
