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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.

 

Whirlpool recalls 500,000 machines

Posted: 18 December 2019

UPDATES: Whirlpool has recalled hundreds of thousands of Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines because of a fire risk linked to a door-lock defect. CTSI urges consumers to check affected models and register appliances for future safety recalls.
 

Keeping an eye on Christmas safety

Posted: 18 December 2019

ANALYSIS: Cheap festive bargains can carry hidden risks. As Christmas spending rises, this article explains how unsafe lights, decorations and seasonal products reach the market, and offers practical advice for safer shopping.
 

Matt Allwright: Letting away with it

Posted: 17 December 2019

OPINION: Drawing on experiences filming Rogue Traders, Matt Allwright argues that weak regulation has allowed rogue letting agents to exploit tenants, and calls for stronger oversight of a rapidly expanding private rental sector.
 

Seeing red over the 'red tape challenge'

Posted: 17 December 2019

OPINION: Much of everyday life depends on unseen systems of regulation that consumers rarely notice until they fail. This piece argues that dismissing essential protections as 'red tape' risks undermining the safeguards on which society relies.
 

No such thing as an 'everyday' tragedy

Posted: 17 December 2019

OPINION: From defective tumble dryers to Grenfell, major product safety failures demonstrate the human cost of regulatory shortcomings. The article argues that preventing so-called everyday tragedies demands sustained commitment to effective enforcement.
 

Interview: Dr Tim Day

Posted: 17 December 2019

ANALYSIS: Dr Tim Day reflects on his career tackling rogue traders and doorstep crime, discussing what motivates his work, the impact on victims and why stronger deterrents and better enforcement remain essential.
 

Doing without... test purchasing

Posted: 17 December 2019

OPINION: Test purchasing is often misunderstood despite its central role in preventing underage sales of knives and other restricted goods. This article defends the practice and explains why it remains an essential enforcement tool.
 

Obituary: Bob Charlesworth

Posted: 15 December 2019

UPDATES: CTSI pays tribute to Bob Charlesworth, whose remarkable career stretched from pre-war weights and measures work to distinguished wartime service and decades of commitment to the profession and Institute.
 

Illegal cigarette haul seized

Posted: 10 December 2019

UPDATES: Trading standards officers in Salford seized thousands of illicit cigarettes and tobacco products, along with cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act, in a coordinated crackdown on illegal tobacco sales.
 

Say no to Christmas counterfeits

Posted: 10 December 2019

UPDATES: Trading standards officers warn shoppers to stay alert to counterfeit goods during the Christmas shopping season, highlighting the links between fake products, organised crime and the risks posed to consumers and legitimate businesses.
 

Christmas toy safety checklist

Posted: 03 December 2019

UPDATES: As seasonal toy buying begins, investigations into products sold online and in shops highlight the importance of checking safety, avoiding harmful substances and choosing toys that meet required standards.
 

10 years of Fake-Free Markets charter

Posted: 02 December 2019

UPDATES: More than a decade after its launch, the Real Deal Fake-Free Markets charter continues to help markets tackle counterfeit goods, demonstrating how voluntary partnerships between traders and trading standards protect consumers.
 

Obituary: Mike Gutowski

Posted: 28 November 2019

UPDATES: A tribute to Mike Gutowski celebrates a distinguished trading standards career devoted to consumer education, professional development and public service, while reflecting on the lasting influence he had across the profession.
 

Interview: Graham Russell

Posted: 27 November 2019

ANALYSIS: Graham Russell reflects on the UK's evolving product safety system, the challenges created by new technologies and complex supply chains, and the role of regulation in protecting consumers while supporting innovation and business.
 

CTSI warns on Black Friday sales

Posted: 27 November 2019

UPDATES: Before rushing into Black Friday deals, consumers are urged to compare prices carefully, plan purchases and avoid being misled by discounts that may not represent genuine savings.
 

Rise in scams and modern slavery

Posted: 27 November 2019

UPDATES: New findings reveal the growing links between scams, modern slavery and organised crime, showing how vulnerable people are exploited and why coordinated enforcement remains essential.
 

Eight safety rules for working in an office

Posted: 22 November 2019

SPONSORED: Good office safety relies on practical everyday habits. Eight straightforward measures help employers reduce risks, prevent illness and injury, and create a healthier working environment.
 

TS services stop 20m illegal products

Posted: 08 November 2019

UPDATES: A new report quantifies the economic and social value delivered by local trading standards services, revealing the scale of illegal products removed from the marketplace and the wider benefits of enforcement.
 

Smallholder guilty of animal cruelty

Posted: 08 November 2019

UPDATES: A Dorset prosecution against a smallholder found guilty of serious animal welfare offences demonstrates the consequences of neglect and the role of trading standards in protecting animals.
 

Ensure your home workplace is suitable

Posted: 05 November 2019

SPONSORED: Working from home demands more than a laptop on the kitchen table. Practical advice explains how to create a safe, productive workspace that supports wellbeing and effective working.