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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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Highland cattle scam site warning

Posted: 22 July 2024

UPDATES: Fraudsters posing as Highland cattle sellers used the address of a country park to lure buyers into a sophisticated online scam. Trading Standards acted quickly to expose the deception and shut down a website already linked to previous livestock and puppy frauds.
 

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.
 

CMA examines trusted trader sites

Posted: 17 July 2024

UPDATES: The CMA has opened a consultation on trader recommendation platforms amid concerns over misleading endorsements, inadequate vetting and weak complaints processes. The review seeks views on improving standards and consumer confidence across the sector.
 

Illegal vapes down the drain

Posted: 16 July 2024

UPDATES: Illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes hidden inside a working drain were uncovered during Operation CeCe, prompting Darlington Trading Standards to highlight the health risks and criminality associated with buying illicit products.
 

Shop fined for underage vape sale

Posted: 16 July 2024

UPDATES: A West Croydon retailer has been fined more than £2,500 after selling a vape to an underage volunteer during a test purchase, reinforcing the importance of age-restriction enforcement and responsible retailing.
 

Criminal 'predator' gang jailed

Posted: 16 July 2024

UPDATES: A long-running North Yorkshire Trading Standards investigation has brought down a gang of rogue builders who defrauded elderly homeowners of more than £1.2m, exposing the devastating scale of organised doorstep crime.
 

Hefty fine for food safety faker

Posted: 15 July 2024

UPDATES: Falsified Salmonella testing certificates led to a food business owner being fined more than £50,000 after an investigation by the Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards uncovered serious breaches of food safety controls.
 

Vapes seized after children taken ill

Posted: 10 July 2024

UPDATES: More than 1,000 illegal vapes have been seized from Nottingham businesses after reports that local schoolchildren were hospitalised, highlighting continuing concerns over the availability of illicit vaping products.
 

Kent TS nabs tobacco and vapes

Posted: 10 July 2024

UPDATES: Joint action by Kent Trading Standards and Kent Police resulted in the seizure of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco from Dover businesses following intelligence from the local community about suspected illicit sales.
 

Oxfordshire TS jails rogue traders

Posted: 10 July 2024

UPDATES: Two rogue traders who exploited an elderly Oxfordshire resident out of more than £477,000 have been jailed after a major Trading Standards investigation uncovered years of fraudulent home improvement work.
 

Seeing the big picture

Posted: 10 July 2024

ANALYSIS: Effective enforcement depends on more than individual casework. Examining intelligence gathering across Trading Standards, this feature explores why incidents go unreported, how fragmented data weakens consumer protection, and why better collaboration and analysis are essential for identifying emerging risks and directing resources where they are needed most.
 

Time to speak out on harassment

Posted: 10 July 2024

ANALYSIS: Abuse, intimidation and harassment have become an increasingly familiar part of frontline Trading Standards work. Drawing on practitioner experiences, survey findings and expert opinion, this feature examines the scale of the problem, its impact on officers and the practical steps needed to create safer working environments.
 

Paying the price for poor legislation

Posted: 10 July 2024

ANALYSIS: Animal health and welfare enforcement carries profound consequences for public health, farming and consumer confidence, yet outdated legislation continues to frustrate effective action. This analysis considers where the legal framework falls short and argues for reforms that would give enforcement officers the powers modern challenges demand.
 

Special report: Food for thought

Posted: 10 July 2024

ANALYSIS: Food allergies can make accurate labelling a matter of life and death. This special report investigates the responsibilities of manufacturers, retailers and regulators, explores continuing weaknesses in allergen information, and considers how legislation, technology and enforcement can work together to better protect consumers.
 

Inspiring new recruits

Posted: 08 July 2024

ANALYSIS: Encouraging more young people into Trading Standards requires visibility as well as opportunity. Reporting from a careers event organised with the REACH Society, this feature highlights efforts to broaden recruitment, improve representation and introduce the profession to talented future officers from diverse backgrounds.
 

Help is at hand for UK consumers

Posted: 08 July 2024

OPINION: Cross-border shopping, online marketplaces and increasingly sophisticated scams have made consumer protection more complex than ever. This opinion piece highlights the practical support available through the UK International Consumer Centre team and explains why international cooperation remains vital for resolving disputes.
 

Opinion: The self-starter

Posted: 08 July 2024

OPINION: A career in Trading Standards can begin in unexpected ways. Reflecting on a journey from an entry-level role into the profession, this personal account considers the value of transferable skills, continuous learning and taking opportunities that can shape a rewarding regulatory career.
 

Opinion: A taste of things to come

Posted: 08 July 2024

OPINION: Representing a profession as broad as Trading Standards demands ambition as well as experience. Looking ahead to new challenges, this piece reflects on leadership, professional pride, workforce development and the importance of championing the people who protect consumers every day.
 

Opinion: Get the pieces in place

Posted: 08 July 2024

OPINION: Successful recruitment depends on much more than filling vacancies. Offering practical advice for recruiting managers, this piece explores preparation, working effectively with HR, recognising the right qualities in candidates and building balanced teams capable of meeting future challenges.
 

Opinion: Recipes for disaster

Posted: 08 July 2024

OPINION: Every fatal allergic reaction represents a preventable tragedy. Using food allergen safety as its focus, this opinion piece argues that robust labelling, responsible food businesses and determined enforcement remain essential to protecting lives and preventing avoidable disasters.