Local Priorities

The Trading Standards Service delivers the statutory duties of the Council in relation to the enforcement of a wide range of legislation concerned with the regulation of trade practices.  The purpose of this legislation is to protect consumers from fraudulent and unsafe trading practices and responsible businesses from unfair competition.  We will:

• promote a fair and equitable trading environment for customers and businesses alike, thereby assisting the local economy
  
• promote compliance with all Trading Standards legislation (by various enforcement methods including inspections, test purchases, covert surveillance, investigation of complaints and education).
  
• protect the economic interest, health, safety and wellbeing of consumers.
  
• give advice to consumers and businesses on civil and criminal law.
  
• promote access to Consumer Advice and provide Consumer Education and Information.
  
• ensure goods are weighed and packed correctly, and that weighing and measuring equipment in use is accurate.
  
• ensure accurate descriptions are applied to all goods and services.
  
• help prevent the sale of age restricted products, (alcohol, cigarettes, fireworks, solvents etc) to children.
  
• help control the spread of potentially fatal zoonotic disease e.g. rabies and anthrax.
  
• prevent the spread of diseases of animals and to monitor their welfare on farm and in transit.
  
• undertake feeding stuffs enforcement including the registration of on-farm mixes.
  
• ensure heavy goods vehicles are not overloaded and to prevent unroadworthy cars from being sold.
  
• promote good Consumer Credit Practice and ensure that all credit providers are licensed.
  
• contribute to regional working by participation in SWERCOTS (South West of England Regional Co-ordination of Trading Standards).
  
• encourage high standards of safety in all consumer goods in the marketplace
  
• contribute to making the community a safer place through enforcement work and links with other agencies, both internal and external.

To view any published Related Documents for this service you will require the appropriate software. To download this software please see our documents help page. All links to documents will open in a new window. To request documents and files in an alternative format please contact us using the contact information provided on this page.

Related Documents

Trading Standards Service Plan 2006/2007 - Word Document

Trading Standards Service Plan 2006/2007 - PDF Document

To view any published Related Documents for this service you will require the appropriate software. To download this software please see our documents help page. All links to documents will open in a new window. To request documents and files in an alternative format please contact us using the contact information provided on this page.