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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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TS hits 'fake shops' and organised crime

Posted: 11 April 2025

UPDATES: Trading Standards steps up efforts against sophisticated fake online shops, exposing organised criminal activity and helping protect consumers from costly fraud.
 

Shops urged to ditch single-use vapes

Posted: 09 April 2025

UPDATES: Retailers are urged to prepare for tighter controls on single-use vapes, with Trading Standards highlighting the environmental and consumer protection issues driving change.
 

Hidden fees and fake reviews banned

Posted: 07 April 2025

UPDATES: New rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act are ending drip pricing and fake reviews, bringing greater transparency to online shopping and stronger protections for consumers at the point of purchase.
 

Car dealer fined for breaking law

Posted: 04 April 2025

UPDATES: A prosecution against a used car dealer highlights the importance of consumers' statutory rights and the consequences for businesses that attempt to evade their legal obligations after a sale.
 

Rogue letting agents sentenced

Posted: 04 April 2025

UPDATES: A landmark Trading Standards prosecution has seen five rogue letting agents jailed and banned after exploiting vulnerable tenants, exposing the scale and complexity of organised housing fraud.
 

Obituary: Edward Brian Fallon

Posted: 02 April 2025

UPDATES: A tribute to Edward Brian Fallon, whose lifelong commitment to public service and steadfast support for Trading Standards left a lasting impact on consumer protection in Scotland.
 

Govt must 'get to grips' with rip-offs

Posted: 28 March 2025

UPDATES: CTSI is calling for stronger Government action after new research revealed the scale of consumer detriment across the UK, with billions of pounds lost to poor practice, scams and unfair treatment.
 

Coffee seller fined over health claims

Posted: 26 March 2025

UPDATES: A retailer has been fined after Trading Standards uncovered unlawful health claims and regulatory breaches involving coffee products, reinforcing the importance of compliance in a fast-growing market.
 

£10m boost for tobacco enforcement

Posted: 24 March 2025

UPDATES: New Government funding will strengthen tobacco enforcement by supporting additional Trading Standards officers, enhancing intelligence-led operations and tackling the illicit tobacco market.
 

Jail sentence for illicit tobacco seller

Posted: 19 March 2025

UPDATES: A lengthy investigation into the illegal tobacco trade has resulted in a substantial prison sentence, demonstrating the determination of Trading Standards to disrupt organised criminal activity.
 

TSSW takes action on illegal tobacco

Posted: 18 March 2025

UPDATES: Trading Standards South West joined national enforcement partners in a major operation targeting illicit tobacco, with coordinated inspections designed to disrupt illegal supply networks.
 

Obituary: Timothy Alec Burton

Posted: 17 March 2025

UPDATES: A tribute to Timothy Alec Burton reflects on a distinguished career and the personal qualities that earned him the respect and affection of colleagues across the Trading Standards profession.
 

'Nicotine free' vapes fail tests

Posted: 11 March 2025

UPDATES: Laboratory testing has found that many products sold as nicotine-free vapes contained nicotine, prompting fresh concerns over product compliance, consumer protection and the need for stronger enforcement in a rapidly expanding market.
 

Modelling agency scammers sentenced

Posted: 10 March 2025

UPDATES: A major National Trading Standards investigation has resulted in lengthy prison sentences for those behind a £13.6 million modelling agency fraud that exploited young people pursuing careers in the industry.
 

Suffolk TS seizes unsafe leaf blowers

Posted: 06 March 2025

UPDATES: Hundreds of unsafe imported leaf blowers and glue guns have been seized at the Port of Felixstowe, highlighting the continuing challenge of preventing dangerous products from reaching UK consumers.
 

Rogue builder to repay £50,000

Posted: 06 March 2025

UPDATES: A rogue builder who defrauded a vulnerable homeowner has been ordered to repay £50,000 following a successful Trading Standards prosecution, reinforcing the consequences of targeting consumers through poor-quality building work.
 

Shops fail corrosive test purchases

Posted: 06 March 2025

UPDATES: Test purchasing has exposed widespread failures by retailers to prevent underage sales of corrosive products, raising concerns about compliance with legislation designed to tackle knife crime and public safety.
 

FSA publishes allergen guidance

Posted: 05 March 2025

UPDATES: New Food Standards Agency guidance aims to help food businesses provide clearer, more consistent allergen information, supporting consumers with food allergies and improving confidence in food safety.
 

'Toxic jewellery' seized at Stansted

Posted: 03 March 2025

UPDATES: Trading Standards officers have seized jewellery containing dangerously high levels of toxic metals at Stansted Airport, underlining the risks posed by unsafe imported consumer products.
 

'Significant' illicit tobacco haul

Posted: 03 March 2025

UPDATES: A major illicit tobacco seizure carried out under Operation CeCe demonstrates the continuing impact of coordinated enforcement against illegal tobacco sales and organised criminal activity.