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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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Rising costs 'threat to consumers'

Posted: 22 February 2022

UPDATES: CTSI warns that rising energy bills, inflation and post-pandemic pressures could sharply increase consumer vulnerability, creating fertile ground for loan sharks, energy mis-selling and other scams unless the UK strengthens its consumer protection strategy.
 

MSP warns on future of trading standards

Posted: 17 February 2022

UPDATES: CTSI’s Scottish Branch has backed calls for renewed investment in trading standards as staffing levels fall, retirements loom and post-Brexit product safety, pandemic support and market surveillance demands intensify across Scotland.
 

CMA targets online rip-offs

Posted: 14 February 2022

UPDATES: The CMA’s Online Rip-off Tip-off campaign aims to help consumers recognise and report hidden charges, subscription traps, fake reviews and pressure-selling tactics as misleading online practices become harder to spot.
 

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.
 

CTSI sings praises of apprenticeships

Posted: 07 February 2022

UPDATES: National Apprenticeship Week gives CTSI a platform to promote Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeships as a practical route into trading standards, broadening recruitment, supporting local authorities and aligning early training with professional competency standards.
 

Valentine’s Day scams warning

Posted: 01 February 2022

UPDATES: CTSI is warning Valentine’s Day shoppers and online daters to watch for romance fraud, fake getaways and pop-up gift scams, as pandemic isolation and rising use of dating platforms continue to fuel losses.
 

Mail scammers impersonate CTSI

Posted: 26 January 2022

UPDATES: Fraudsters are circulating letters that misuse CTSI branding to promote a bogus compensation scheme, asking recipients to submit personal details through a fake creditors debt form. CTSI warns that the scam has spread beyond England and urges anyone receiving the letter to contact the Financial Conduct Authority.
 

Consumer heroes named in Honours

Posted: 23 January 2022

UPDATES: Consumer protection figures feature in the 2022 New Year Honours, with recognition for a trading standards officer and RNLI volunteer, an accessibility standards champion, Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis, and senior Local Government Association leaders.
 

Puppy seller ordered to pay £100,000

Posted: 12 January 2022

UPDATES: An illegal puppy seller who misled buyers into believing he had bred the animals himself has been ordered to pay £100,000 after a Telford and Wrekin Council Trading Standards investigation uncovered poor record-keeping, misleading adverts and serious animal welfare concerns.
 

Obituary: Steve Lynch

Posted: 11 January 2022

UPDATES: Essex trading standards colleagues remember Steve Lynch, whose 42-year career spanned weights and measures, operational leadership, international regulatory work and major enforcement roles at the Olympics and Tour de France, alongside a warmth and humour that left a lasting mark on those who worked with him.
 

Counterfeit clothing seller prosecuted

Posted: 27 December 2021

UPDATES: An online trader who sold counterfeit branded clothing has been found guilty of offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 following an investigation by Dorset Council Trading Standards. James Goodwin was sentenced to 200...
 

£11,000 of illegal tobacco seized

Posted: 21 December 2021

UPDATES: A shopkeeper who continued to sell illegal and counterfeit tobacco products after his premises were raided by trading standards has been fined. Officers from Salford City Council Trading Standards found cigarettes and...
 

CTSI's pandemic puppy warning

Posted: 17 December 2021

UPDATES: Demand for a furry friend rises during the holiday season, and the isolation brought on by pandemic lockdowns and remote working has increased demand throughout the past year. These changes have led to puppy...
 

CTSI appoints new Chairs

Posted: 16 December 2021

UPDATES: CTSI has named Louise Baxter MBE as its new Council Chair and Steve Ruddy as Chair of its Board. Baxter is an expert in consumer protection who has worked in trading standards for almost...
 

UKICC marks 15 year milestone

Posted: 15 December 2021

UPDATES: As the UK International Consumer Centre marks 15 years, a special review looks back at its cross-border consumer work, unusual case history, post-EU Exit challenges and expanding international partnerships.
 

UKICC sounds alarm on travel contracts

Posted: 15 December 2021

UPDATES: As UK consumers pack their bags for Christmas and New Year get-aways, the UK International Consumer Centre (UKICC) is warning that many people are likely to be unaware of who their travel contract is...
 

Omicron sparks latest email scam

Posted: 15 December 2021

UPDATES: Members of the public have received an email clad in NHS branding as well as texts calling on them to "apply now for Omicron PCR test to avoid restrictions." The message claims that older...
 

Many SMEs unaware of new import rules

Posted: 15 December 2021

UPDATES: New research suggests many small importers remain unprepared for post-Brexit customs requirements. With full import controls taking effect from January 2022, the findings highlight significant awareness gaps and the practical challenges facing SMEs.
 

Jeweller guilty of hallmarking offences

Posted: 03 December 2021

UPDATES: An investigation by Ealing Council Trading Standards resulted in a jeweller being prosecuted for hallmarking offences, underlining the importance of compliance and the protection that hallmarking provides for consumers.
 

COVID scam targets youngsters

Posted: 02 December 2021

UPDATES: A convincing text message scam exploiting COVID-19 vaccine passes targeted young people with a fake NHS website and payment request, providing a timely reminder of how fraudsters adapt to current events.