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.

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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.

‘More time needed’ for EU Law Bill

Posted: 01 November 2022

UPDATES: CTSI calls for the Retained EU Law Bill timetable to be extended, warning that a rushed sunset of more than 2,400 laws could weaken consumer protection, business certainty and core Trading Standards enforcement powers.

Return to imperial ‘could cost millions’

Posted: 26 August 2022

UPDATES: CTSI warns that proposals to expand the use of imperial measurements could impose significant costs on local authorities, create confusion for businesses and consumers, and require extensive retraining and new equipment.

Understanding the ABCs of CBD

Posted: 07 June 2022

ANALYSIS: Rapid growth in the CBD market has created complex regulatory challenges. This analysis explains the legal status of cannabidiol, the distinction from medicinal cannabis, novel food requirements and the practical enforcement issues facing Trading Standards.

A new voice for Trading Standards

Posted: 06 June 2022

OPINION: CTSI's new Director of Policy and Public Affairs reflects on arriving in the profession, the breadth of consumer protection issues ahead and the importance of giving Trading Standards a stronger voice during a period of significant change.

'POA' property listings unlawful

Posted: 08 May 2022

UPDATES: National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team says using 'price on application' in property listings is likely to breach consumer protection law by withholding material pricing information from buyers.

Consumer protection reforms welcomed

Posted: 21 April 2022

UPDATES: CTSI welcomes the Government's proposed consumer protection reforms, including tougher action on fake reviews and clearer rules for traders, while warning that stronger safeguards remain essential as consumer risks evolve.

CTSI speaks to BEIS Committee

Posted: 01 March 2022

UPDATES: CTSI used a BEIS Committee evidence session on post-pandemic economic growth to highlight consumer rights awareness, the economic role of consumer protection, the value of UKICC and the pressure placed on local trading standards by a decade of cuts.

Caution urged on imperial markings

Posted: 25 February 2022

UPDATES: CTSI is urging caution over any return to imperial markings, warning that changes to weights and measures could add business costs, confuse consumers and place further enforcement demands on trading standards services already weakened by long-term budget cuts.

Consumer protection must be ‘levelled up’

Posted: 14 February 2022

UPDATES: CTSI is pressing for consumer protection to be central to the UK Government’s post-Brexit regulatory agenda, warning that legislative freedoms must not erode standards or create fresh risks for consumers and businesses.

Red flags on greenwashing

Posted: 13 January 2022

OPINION: Green claims are becoming more influential, more complex and more open to abuse, from vague sustainability language to outright scams. Trading standards can help businesses comply and consumers choose with confidence, but the Net Zero agenda will require far greater capacity if greenwashing is to be tackled effectively.

The Enterprise Act: A comedy of errors?

Posted: 06 January 2022

ANALYSIS: In July 2017, James Slater was trading as Response Roofing. He had a rather long history of fraud offences and was well known to trading standards across the South East of England, with 97...

The Enterprise Act: A political fix

Posted: 06 January 2022

OPINION: A response to criticism of the Enterprise Act argues that consumer protection still depends on making civil enforcement work, rebuilding consumer education and recognising the wider damage caused by weakened market intelligence.

CTSI: new TAC a 'curate's egg'

Posted: 18 November 2021

ANALYSIS: CTSI welcomes the new Trade and Agriculture Commission but argues it lacks sufficient consumer protection expertise. The Institute sets out why stronger regulatory representation is needed to ensure future trade agreements maintain high standards for consumers and businesses.