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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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Illegal snus found on sale in Oxford shop

Posted: 01 August 2025

UPDATES: An Oxford shop owner has been prosecuted after repeatedly ignoring warnings and continuing to sell illegal snus products. The case demonstrates Trading Standards' ongoing action against banned tobacco products.
 

Lincs TS: record tobacco seizure

Posted: 01 August 2025

UPDATES: Lincolnshire Trading Standards has carried out its largest ever seizure of illegal tobacco and vapes, leading to closure orders for two premises and highlighting the continuing fight against the illicit market.
 

Neath driveway cowboy sentenced

Posted: 01 August 2025

UPDATES: A rogue driveway contractor who deceived householders with poor-quality and unfinished work has been sentenced following a Trading Standards prosecution. The case also secured compensation under proceeds of crime legislation.

Rogue Glazier Given Suspended Sentence

Posted: 31 July 2025


UPDATES: A Plymouth glazier who intimidated customers, carried out shoddy work and misused a trusted trader logo has been sentenced after a Trading Standards prosecution. Complaints revealed fraud, threats and misleading claims that left victims distressed and out of pocket - ending with a suspended prison sentence, community service and a director ban ...

 

Rogue glazier given suspended sentence

Posted: 31 July 2025

UPDATES: A man who effectively ran a glazing company while misleading customers about completed work has received a suspended prison sentence. The prosecution illustrates the serious consequences of fraudulent trading practices.

Jail Sentence for Fake Goods Seller

Posted: 24 July 2025


UPDATES: Two women who built a lucrative counterfeit goods operation on Facebook Marketplace have been sentenced after a Trading Standards investigation uncovered fake designer items worth tens of thousands of pounds. Despite clear warnings, the illegal trade continued - ending with one woman jailed for over two years and a stark warning about the scale and harm of counterfeit crime ...

Shopkeeper Fined for Illegal Vapes

Posted: 24 July 2025


UPDATES: A Dagenham shop owner has been fined after Trading Standards seized nearly £45,000 worth of illegal oversized disposable vapes. Despite previous warnings, thousands of non-compliant devices were found on sale, prompting prosecution and fresh closure threats - underscoring a tough crackdown on traders who put profits ahead of public health and youth safety ...

 

Shopkeeper fined for illegal vapes

Posted: 24 July 2025

UPDATES: Thousands of illegal oversized disposable vapes have been seized from an east London shop, resulting in a substantial fine. The prosecution reflects continued enforcement against unlawful vaping products.
 

Jail sentence for fake goods seller

Posted: 24 July 2025

UPDATES: Two counterfeiters who generated hundreds of thousands of pounds selling fake designer goods through social media have been jailed following a Trading Standards investigation, highlighting the scale and consequences of organised online counterfeiting.

Nationwide Warning Over Fake Toy Craze

Posted: 23 July 2025


UPDATES: Trading Standards teams nationwide are warning parents about a surge in counterfeit “Labubu” dolls flooding shops and online marketplaces. Seized across the UK, the fake toys pose potential choking and chemical risks and often lack safety markings. With prices that seem too good to be true, officials urge shoppers to stay alert and buy only from trusted sellers ...

Cardiff TS Fines Asda £640,000

Posted: 23 July 2025


UPDATES: Asda has been fined £640,000 after Trading Standards officers found more than 100 out-of-date food items on sale at two Cardiff stores, including high-risk products. The case exposes repeated food safety failures at the supermarket giant and follows earlier prosecutions across the country - raising fresh concerns about consumer safety and supermarket compliance ...

 

Cardiff TS fines Asda £640,000

Posted: 23 July 2025

UPDATES: Cardiff Trading Standards has secured a substantial fine against Asda after repeated sales of out-of-date food, underlining the continuing importance of robust food safety controls and retailer compliance.
 

Nationwide warning over fake toy craze

Posted: 23 July 2025

UPDATES: Counterfeit Labubu dolls are prompting warnings from Trading Standards teams nationwide as the viral toy craze fuels sales of potentially unsafe products that pose risks to children and consumers.

Landmark Product Safety Law Passed

Posted: 22 July 2025


UPDATES: Online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay are set to face tougher legal duties after the Product Regulation and Metrology Act gained Royal Assent. The new law promises stronger powers to tackle unsafe goods sold online, but consumer groups warn its success will hinge on bold follow-up rules to finally rein in dangerous products and hold platforms fully accountable ...

Hackney TS Seizes Illicit Goods

Posted: 22 July 2025


UPDATES: Hackney Trading Standards has seized more than £60,000 worth of illicit goods in a series of targeted raids on local shops. The haul included tens of thousands of illegal cigarettes, illicit vapes, counterfeit items and even controlled drugs - highlighting a major crackdown aimed at protecting consumers and supporting legitimate businesses ...

South West Shops Shuttered

Posted: 22 July 2025


UPDATES: Five shops across Devon and Torbay have been forced to close for three months after repeatedly selling illegal tobacco and vapes. Despite prior warnings, officers uncovered hidden stashes - some using specialist detection dogs - prompting court-ordered closures and a stark warning to rogue retailers that illegal sales will not be tolerated ...

 

South West shops shuttered

Posted: 22 July 2025

UPDATES: A coordinated crackdown on illegal tobacco and vaping has resulted in multiple shop closures across the South West, demonstrating the impact of partnership enforcement against persistent rogue retailers.
 

Hackney TS seizes illicit goods

Posted: 22 July 2025

UPDATES: Raids by Hackney Trading Standards uncovered tens of thousands of illicit cigarettes, illegal vapes and other offending, illustrating the breadth of criminal activity often linked to rogue retail premises.
 

Landmark product safety law passed

Posted: 22 July 2025

UPDATES: A landmark new law strengthens regulators' powers over unsafe products and places greater responsibility on online marketplaces, marking a significant shift in UK product safety enforcement.

CTSI Sounds Alarm on Cosmetic Drips

Posted: 30 June 2025


UPDATES: CTSI is urging urgent regulation of the booming cosmetic IV drip sector after a Channel 4 investigation exposed widespread safety failings. Unsupervised glutathione drips are being offered in salons and online, with users suffering serious health risks. Trading Standards is calling for a licensing scheme and stricter oversight to protect consumers from this unregulated “wild west” of beauty treatments ...