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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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Tighter Rules on Cosmetic Procedures

Posted: 07 August 2025


UPDATES: The Government has announced a major crackdown on “cowboy” cosmetic procedures, targeting unqualified practitioners and high-risk treatments. New rules will restrict who can carry out procedures such as non-surgical BBLs, tighten oversight of fillers and Botox, and introduce stronger protections for under-18s, following mounting evidence of serious harm ...

CTSI Sounds Alarm on Cosmetic Drips

Posted: 30 June 2025


UPDATES: CTSI is urging urgent regulation of the booming cosmetic IV drip sector after a Channel 4 investigation exposed widespread safety failings. Unsupervised glutathione drips are being offered in salons and online, with users suffering serious health risks. Trading Standards is calling for a licensing scheme and stricter oversight to protect consumers from this unregulated “wild west” of beauty treatments ...

Nicotine Pouches: Suck it and See

Posted: 26 May 2025


ANALYSIS: Nicotine pouches have surged onto the UK market with little regulation - and Trading Standards are already seizing thousands. This article explores why these products worry public health experts, how they’ve slipped through legal loopholes, and how the Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to rein in marketing, protect children and bring long-overdue regulation to a fast-growing industry ...

 

Kent TS: nicotine pouch warning

Posted: 24 February 2025

UPDATES: Kent Trading Standards has warned of the risks posed by largely unregulated nicotine pouches after seizing tens of thousands of non-compliant products destined for UK consumers.
 

New rules for online knife retailers

Posted: 19 February 2025

UPDATES: New government proposals would tighten the rules on online knife sales, increase penalties for illegal supply to under-18s and place greater responsibility on retailers and platforms.
 

Tougher laws on knife sales

Posted: 22 January 2025

UPDATES: Following the Southport tragedy, the Government is accelerating tougher age-verification rules for online knife sales, with significant implications for retailers and consumer protection enforcement.

TS Targets Underage Knife Sales

Posted: 15 January 2025


ANALYSIS: From test purchases to bleed kits and life-saving first-aid training, Barking & Dagenham Trading Standards is taking a proactive, partnership-led approach to tackling knife crime. This article explores how local enforcement, youth education and tighter controls on knife sales are working together to prevent harm – and why stronger online age-verification laws are a crucial next step ...

 

LBBD TS conducts acid test purchases

Posted: 05 November 2024

UPDATES: Barking and Dagenham officers found failures in retailer controls on high-strength corrosive products, using test purchases to reinforce age restrictions, EPP licence requirements and the serious consequences of non-compliance.
 

CTSI issues illegal cosmetics warning

Posted: 25 April 2024

UPDATES: CTSI has launched a campaign warning of the dangers posed by illegal cosmetic products including skin lightening creams, teeth whitening kit.
 

Derby TS stops Halloween scares

Posted: 30 October 2023

UPDATES: Trading Standards officers stepped up Halloween safety checks as cost-of-living pressures increased demand for cheaper costumes and seasonal goods, targeting unsafe products before they reached families and helping shoppers celebrate safely.
 

CTSI welcomes anti-smoking plans

Posted: 05 October 2023

UPDATES: CTSI has welcomed Government plans to create a smoke-free generation by progressively raising the legal age for tobacco sales, alongside proposed measures to reduce children's access to and attraction towards vapes.
 

The problem with skin lightening

Posted: 04 July 2023

ANALYSIS: Back in the mid-80s there was a band that went by the name Color Me Badd. Whilst I thought it was an unusual name for a pop group, the name stuck with me as I...
 

Deadly heaters seized by Suffolk TS

Posted: 09 March 2023

UPDATES: More than 300 unsafe electrical heaters destined for online sale were intercepted at Felixstowe after inspectors identified serious electrocution risks, preventing potentially dangerous products from reaching consumers.
 

Dorset man fined for unsafe fireworks

Posted: 08 February 2023

UPDATES: A business owner who failed to take measures to protect the public during a firework display has been...
 

New Year wellness scams warning

Posted: 09 January 2023

UPDATES: Consumers are being warned to stay alert to New Year health and wellbeing scams as fraudsters exploit seasonal resolutions with misleading products and false claims.
 

Product safety in New Year Honours

Posted: 05 January 2023

UPDATES: A leading figure in product safety has been recognised in the New Year Honours for decades of work supporting businesses, regulators and consumer protection.
 

CTSI issues warning on festive fakes

Posted: 13 December 2022

UPDATES: CTSI is urging shoppers to steer clear of counterfeit goods this Christmas after research revealed growing demand for cheaper products amid the cost-of-living crisis and widespread uncertainty about buying safely online.
 

Unlicensed fireworks seized by TS

Posted: 17 November 2022

UPDATES: Trading Standards officers seized a substantial stock of illegally held fireworks after discovering dangerous storage conditions that posed a serious risk to public safety.
 

TS issues Halloween safety tips

Posted: 28 October 2022

UPDATES: North Yorkshire Trading Standards sets out Halloween safety advice covering costume flammability, UKCA and CE markings, battery-powered decorations and the dangers posed by accessible button cell batteries.
 

Public warned of illegal fireworks

Posted: 18 October 2022

UPDATES: Consumers are being urged to buy fireworks only from licensed retailers as Trading Standards warns that illegally sold products pose serious safety risks ahead of bonfire celebrations.