Trading Standards - Frequently Asked Questions

Like any other enforcement body, our work is checked by a number of outside organisations. The list below are the main associations:

Trading Standards Institute (TSI)
TSI represents the Trading Standards Profession to Government, Business and Consumer Groups and other agencies. View website http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

Local Authorities Co-ordinator on Regulatory Services (LACORS)
LACORS provide opinions to Trading Standards Departments to ensure that the law enforced in a fair and equal manner around the country. View website http://www.lacors.com/lacors/home.aspx

Food Standards Agency (FSA)
The FSA monitor our inspection and training records and assist in the enforcement and advice to officers regarding various pieces of food and feeding stuffs legislation.View website http://www.food.gov.uk/

Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
The OFT maintain details of the areas of complaint received by Trading Standards Depertments and produce regular reports of problem industries. The OFT also maintain registers of individuals and companies who have been prosecuted by Trading Standards Departments, or have signed assurances or received injunctions to cease unfair trading practices. View website http://www.oft.gov.uk/

Department of Trade and Industry (Dti)
Like the OFT, the Dti collate details of our activities to produce reports to the Secretary of State on a variety of Trading Standards areas. View website http://www.dti.gov.uk/

Local Government Ombudsmen (LGO)
If you are unhappy with the service you receive from a Local Government Office, then the LGA may be able to assist in investigating you complaint. The LGO will only investigate complaint where the Local Authority complaints procedure has been exhausted. The Ombudsmen can investigate complaints about how the council has done something. But they cannot question what a council has done simply because someone does not agree with it. View website http://www.lgo.org.uk/