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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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Opinion: Wiping out greenwashing

Posted: 01 February 2024

OPINION: Environmental claims can help consumers make informed choices - or mislead them completely. This opinion piece argues that robust action against greenwashing is essential if confidence in sustainable products is to be maintained.
 

CPPD Module 25: Single-use plastics

Posted: 24 January 2024

DEVELOPMENT: An overview of the rules restricting the supply of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cotton buds and other specified products, explaining the key legal duties for businesses.
 

TS law to be enforced in Guernsey

Posted: 09 August 2023

UPDATES: Guernsey is introducing modern consumer protection legislation, bringing the island's fair trading framework closer to UK standards. The new law strengthens enforcement powers and marks a significant step in protecting consumers across the Bailiwick.
 

No safe haven for criminals

Posted: 26 July 2023

ANALYSIS: The Tick Box initiative is urging self storage businesses to tighten due diligence, reject cash-led anonymity and work with Trading Standards to stop criminals using storage units for counterfeit and illicit goods. With millions of pounds of goods seized, the voluntary code aims to make the sector hostile to illegal supply chains.
 

Border control: Point of impact

Posted: 08 July 2023

ANALYSIS: It’s a perennial problem. Unsafe and illegal products enter the UK and are disseminated around the country to distributors before being sold online or direct to consumers. It is then up to various agencies, including...
 

Orkney TS praised for successes

Posted: 17 February 2023

UPDATES: Orkney’s four-person Trading Standards team has been praised after recovering £110,000 for a scam victim, preventing further losses and helping residents secure refunds. The article highlights the value of a small, locally trusted service working across isolated island communities with limited resources.
 

Touchstone winners make their mark

Posted: 08 February 2023

ANALYSIS: In June 2022 the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) Touchstone Award was presented at the CTSI Conference in Bristol....
 

Old problems, new solutions

Posted: 23 January 2023

ANALYSIS: Hallmarking has safeguarded consumers for centuries, but changing markets present new challenges. This feature examines why the system remains essential and how it continues to evolve.
 

New fireworks rules in Scotland

Posted: 03 November 2022

ANALYSIS: Scotland's tightening of fireworks controls introduces restricted sale and use times, lower purchase limits and new offences around proxy buying for under-18s, with further licensing and supply restrictions still expected.
 

North West clamps down on rogues

Posted: 04 October 2022

UPDATES: A coordinated enforcement initiative across the North West has targeted rogue traders through inspections, intelligence gathering and business engagement aimed at preventing doorstep crime.
 

Hiding in plain sight

Posted: 24 June 2022

ANALYSIS: Operation CeCe has strengthened the fight against illicit tobacco through new funding and closer partnership working, but frontline officers argue that limited resources, inconsistent intelligence sharing and inadequate follow-up continue to hamper efforts against organised criminal networks.
 

‘Proper enforcement’ needed on tobacco

Posted: 10 June 2022

UPDATES: CTSI has welcomed the Khan Review's ambitious proposals to reduce smoking, while stressing that stronger enforcement, adequate funding and clear arrangements for Trading Standards will be essential if tougher tobacco controls are to succeed.
 

Touchstone Award seeks nominees

Posted: 04 April 2022

UPDATES: Nominations are open for this year's Touchstone Award, celebrating outstanding hallmarking enforcement, education and innovation. The article explains the judging criteria, eligible activities, prizes and how trading standards professionals can submit entries before the closing date.
 

Speaking out for consumers

Posted: 22 March 2022

ANALYSIS: Seventy years after its creation, the Consumer Public Interest Network continues to champion the consumer voice in standards development. This feature explores its evolving priorities, the role of volunteer representatives and why meaningful consumer involvement remains central to better standards.
 

Community service in Tower Hamlets

Posted: 30 June 2021

ANALYSIS: Innovative community engagement transformed the fight against illicit Hajj travel fraud and illegal tobacco in Tower Hamlets, showing how trusted local relationships can strengthen enforcement, support legitimate businesses and better protect consumers.
 

A long-term solution to illicit tobacco?

Posted: 30 June 2021

ANALYSIS: Persistent illicit tobacco retailers demand more than repeated raids. This examination argues for targeting landlords and using stronger Proceeds of Crime powers to disrupt the business model behind organised criminal supply.
 

In at the deep end

Posted: 30 June 2021

ANALYSIS: Taking charge of a busy trading standards service brings immediate operational pressures, but also opportunities to drive improvement. A new service leader reflects on priorities, leadership and building resilient teams for the future.
 

CTSI responds to product safety report

Posted: 16 June 2021

UPDATES: CTSI has welcomed progress identified in an independent review of the UK's product safety regime while urging continued modernisation, stronger collaboration and improved public engagement on product safety risks.
 

Voices from the Front Line

Posted: 10 December 2020

OPINION: Frontline trading standards professionals describe how COVID-19 changed workloads, priorities and enforcement pressures, revealing the strain on small teams as they adapted services during a national crisis.
 

In partnership against the pandemic

Posted: 13 August 2020

OPINION: Reflecting on the response to COVID-19, this piece explores how collaboration between OPSS, CTSI and local authority Trading Standards strengthened consumer protection, supported businesses and demonstrated the value of coordinated partnership working during a national emergency.
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