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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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Landmark Product Safety Law Passed

Posted: 22 July 2025


UPDATES: Online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay are set to face tougher legal duties after the Product Regulation and Metrology Act gained Royal Assent. The new law promises stronger powers to tackle unsafe goods sold online, but consumer groups warn its success will hinge on bold follow-up rules to finally rein in dangerous products and hold platforms fully accountable ...

Local Gov’t Funding Rise Welcomed

Posted: 12 June 2025


UPDATES: CTSI has cautiously welcomed new funding announced in the Government’s Spending Review, including billions for councils and targeted investment for tobacco and vape enforcement. While the plans offer fresh opportunities for Trading Standards, key questions remain over local priorities, ringfencing and whether frontline services will truly see the benefits ...

 

Hidden fees and fake reviews banned

Posted: 07 April 2025

UPDATES: New rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act are ending drip pricing and fake reviews, bringing greater transparency to online shopping and stronger protections for consumers at the point of purchase.

Analysis: Out With the Old

Posted: 13 January 2025


ANALYSIS: A new government, a packed legislative agenda and rising expectations of enforcement – what does it all mean for Trading Standards? From product safety and online marketplaces to tobacco control, renters’ rights and planning reform, this article breaks down the key Bills moving through parliament ...

Interview: Justin Madders MP

Posted: 13 January 2025


ANALYSIS: Justin Madders, Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, reveals how Trading Standards protects consumers, supports businesses, and tackles rogue traders in a rapidly changing digital world. From online marketplaces to Net Zero initiatives, Madders highlights the critical role of enforcement, funding, and modern regulation in creating a safer, fairer, and more confident economy ...

 

Tobacco and Vapes Bill launched

Posted: 06 November 2024

UPDATES: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would phase out tobacco sales by raising the legal age of purchase each year, introduce tighter controls on vaping products and give enforcement teams new powers to tackle underage sales.
 

CTSI welcomes new Gov't plans

Posted: 22 July 2024

UPDATES: CTSI has welcomed the Government's proposed consumer protection reforms but warns that stronger laws on renters' rights, product safety, tobacco and vapes will achieve little unless Trading Standards receives the funding needed to enforce them.
 

The devil's in the detail

Posted: 08 July 2024

ANALYSIS: The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act represents one of the biggest changes to consumer law in years. This assessment examines its development, new enforcement powers and what the legislation will mean in practice for Trading Standards.
 

CTSI welcomes election date

Posted: 23 May 2024

UPDATES: Following the announcement of the General Election, CTSI outlines the consumer protection priorities it wants the next government to address, from enforcement powers to product safety and fair markets.
 

Opinion: Bad habits, good intentions

Posted: 24 January 2024

OPINION: Ambitious tobacco control proposals promise long-term public health benefits, but achieving a smoke-free generation will depend on sustained commitment, effective enforcement and lasting behavioural change.
 

Govt launches trading consultation

Posted: 07 September 2023

UPDATES: The Government has launched a consultation designed to help improve transparency, fairness and clarity for shoppers following the publication of...
 

Govt announces UKCA U-turn

Posted: 01 August 2023

UPDATES: The Government has reversed plans to phase out CE marking, confirming that UKCA and CE markings can continue to be used in Great Britain and providing businesses with greater regulatory certainty.
 

In conversation: Yvonne Fovargue

Posted: 05 July 2023

ANALYSIS: Yvonne Fovargue began her career as a Housing Officer in the Moss Side area of Manchester in the early 1980s and went on to work at the then-Citizens Advice Bureau in St Helens before entering...
 

Prosecutions and pitfalls

Posted: 04 July 2023

ANALYSIS: Lawyers will always find new and inventive ways to argue their clients’ causes. Sometimes they will win. That said, for a prosecution to fail because of an unforced error on the part of the prosecutor...
 

An attack of the vapours

Posted: 04 July 2023

OPINION: CTSI’s policy work on vaping has pushed underage sales, illicit products and enforcement pressures up the national agenda, securing media attention and stronger government engagement on a growing frontline concern.
 

Govt abandons REUL sunset clause

Posted: 11 May 2023

UPDATES: CTSI welcomes the Government's decision to abandon the Retained EU Law sunset clause, while warning that hundreds of laws still require scrutiny to ensure vital consumer protections are not lost.
 

Trading Standards focus of REUL debate

Posted: 07 February 2023

UPDATES: Trading Standards and consumer rights were in the spotlight yesterday evening (6 February) in the House of Lords...
 

Government replaces BEIS with new dept

Posted: 07 February 2023

UPDATES: The Government has announced that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has been replaced with...
 

Forthcoming attractions

Posted: 23 January 2023

OPINION: Reflecting on a first year at CTSI, the Institute's chief executive sets out priorities for raising the profession's profile, strengthening influence and demonstrating the impact of Trading Standards.
 

CTSI-led coalition calls for REUL delay

Posted: 25 November 2022

UPDATES: CTSI has brought together a broad coalition of organisations to call on the Prime Minister to delay the Retained EU Law Bill timetable, warning that rushed reform could undermine essential consumer protections.