skip to main content

Login IconLogin / Member Area / Consumer Helpline delivered by Citizens Advice 0808 223 1133

1 Sylvan Court Sylvan Way SS15 6TH Basildon, Essex, UK
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.

Filtered by tag|Analysis|Clear Filter

 

Fighting the good fight

Posted: 23 March 2022

ANALYSIS: As trading standards faces shrinking resources and expanding responsibilities, leading voices from across the profession examine how its adaptability can remain a strength without diluting professional identity, exploring leadership, resilience, partnership working and the future direction of the service.
 

Interview: Professor Kathy Hamilton

Posted: 22 March 2022

ANALYSIS: Consumer vulnerability is shaped by far more than age or income. Professor Kathy Hamilton discusses transformative consumer research, the social and structural factors that create vulnerability, and how this evidence can help trading standards develop more effective, consumer-centred interventions.
 

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.
 

New borders to consumer protection

Posted: 20 January 2022

ANALYSIS: EU Exit has reshaped cross-border consumer protection, from holiday refunds and subscription traps to digital rights, court remedies and enforcement cooperation. With UK consumers losing access to several EU redress routes, the article considers how divergence, litigation barriers and the UK ICC’s advice role may affect confidence in buying from European traders.
 

The energy to fight climate change

Posted: 13 January 2022

ANALYSIS: Net Zero will transform how consumers heat, insulate and power their homes, creating risks around misleading claims, poor installation, smart meters, heat pumps and domestic energy storage. Trading standards has a vital role in ensuring the transition protects consumers, supports reputable businesses and avoids repeating past green scheme failures.
 

Touchstone Award success stories

Posted: 06 January 2022

ANALYSIS: The 2021 Touchstone Award highlighted two strong examples of hallmarking enforcement: a Scotland-wide premises and online jewellery project coordinated by SCOTSS, and Hertfordshire’s work with Amazon to improve seller guidance and remove millions of inaccurate gold listings.
 

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...
 

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.
 

Looking back at Symposium 2021

Posted: 27 October 2021

ANALYSIS: From debate on consumer vulnerability and post-pandemic resilience to awards, networking and keynote sessions, Symposium 2021 brought the profession together to reflect on recent challenges and look ahead to the future of trading standards.
 

At home with the Tenant Fees Act

Posted: 26 August 2021

ANALYSIS: The Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into force in England on June 1, 2019 and brought with it a number of new challenges for trading standards. The legislation was intended...
 

New country, new customs framework

Posted: 26 August 2021

ANALYSIS: The new year brought the end of the EU Exit transition period and with it a number of structural changes for consumers making purchases cross-border. These include the new Customs and Excise rules that are...
 

CTSI Symposium 2021

Posted: 01 August 2021

ANALYSIS: CTSI’s 2021 Symposium returned as a face-to-face event in Birmingham, combining a new venue, revised programme structure, sponsor support and a renewed focus on best practice, education and professional debate.
 

No short measures on alcohol sales

Posted: 29 July 2021

ANALYSIS: At the time of writing the UK hospitality sector, including...
 

Tackling digital detriment

Posted: 23 July 2021

ANALYSIS: Pandemic-era e-commerce scams have exposed changing consumer behaviour, digital vulnerability and enforcement challenges, as Citizens Advice, CTSI and trading standards teams confront rapidly evolving online fraud.
 

Beware of the dog dealers

Posted: 05 July 2021

ANALYSIS: “This isn’t just about finance and consumer detriment...
 

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.
 

How TS rose to the COVID challenge

Posted: 18 June 2021

ANALYSIS: From business compliance visits and PPE checks to tackling pandemic scams, trading standards services adapted rapidly during COVID-19. Case studies highlight the profession's resilience, flexibility and essential public protection role.
 

The counterfeiters’ worst enemy

Posted: 14 June 2021

ANALYSIS: Former police officer Graham Mogg explains how decades of investigative experience led to the creation of WRi Group, and discusses the evolving fight against counterfeit goods, organised criminal networks and the protection of brands and consumers.