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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.

 

Obituary: Sid Horsell

Posted: 04 May 2018

UPDATES: Remembering Sid Horsell, this tribute traces a life of public service, professional dedication and commitment to Trading Standards, from his early career and National Service to his lasting contribution to colleagues.
 

Fire safety tests come under fire

Posted: 25 April 2018

UPDATES: Fire safety testing commissioned by the Association of British Insurers examines the performance of building materials in more realistic fire scenarios, highlighting findings relevant to safety policy and enforcement.
 

CBO for 'cancer cure' claim man

Posted: 20 April 2018

UPDATES: National Trading Standards secured a conviction and Criminal Behaviour Order against a businessman who falsely claimed he could treat serious illnesses including cancer through blood tests, diet and unauthorised products after he ignored Advertising Standards Authority rulings.
 

Obituary: Regina Kibel MBE VP

Posted: 28 February 2018

UPDATES: A tribute to Regina Kibel MBE VP, whose lifelong commitment to professional education helped generations of trading standards officers gain their qualifications and whose support for the Institute continued well into retirement, including its journey towards Chartered status.
 

Obituary: Brian Smith

Posted: 25 January 2018

UPDATES: Colleagues remember Brian Smith's outstanding contribution to consumer protection, from pioneering doorstep crime initiatives to championing work against nuisance calls, celebrating a career that left a lasting legacy across Scotland and the wider profession.
 

Matt Allwright: Product Safety

Posted: 15 January 2018

OPINION: Broadcaster Matt Allwright argues that decades of progress in product safety are being undermined by unsafe imports, weak enforcement and online marketplaces, calling for renewed action to protect consumers.
 

CPPD Module 13: Roofing Scams

Posted: 15 January 2018

DEVELOPMENT: Drawing on years as an expert witness, this CPPD module explains how roofing scams escalate from minor repairs to costly frauds, highlighting the warning signs investigators should recognise.
 

A brush with art fraud

Posted: 15 January 2018

ANALYSIS: An investigation into fake works attributed to Cornish artist Alfred Wallis reveals how forensic examination, inter-authority cooperation and careful analysis of provenance prevented consumers from spending up to £125,000 on forged artwork, while highlighting the importance of due diligence for auction houses.
 

Controlling animal disease

Posted: 15 January 2018

ANALYSIS: The forthcoming Animal Health Law Regulation places new expectations on animal professionals and competent authorities, raising important questions about expertise, resources and enforcement as the UK prepares for a changing regulatory landscape after leaving the EU.
 

Let there be light on lettings fees

Posted: 15 January 2018

ANALYSIS: Camden Trading Standards' successful Upper Tribunal case against Foxtons established a binding legal precedent on letting agents' fees, strengthening enforcement of the Consumer Rights Act and ensuring consumers receive clear information about the charges they face.
 

The great direct sales scandal

Posted: 15 January 2018

ANALYSIS: The prosecution of Summit Roofguard exposed high-pressure sales techniques, misleading finance arrangements and systemic consumer detriment, prompting wider questions about accountability across the direct sales and consumer finance sectors.
 

Rethinking the 'red tape' attitude

Posted: 15 January 2018

ANALYSIS: Drawing on the lessons of Grenfell and the evolution of 'better regulation', this article challenges decades of anti-regulation rhetoric and argues that dismissing enforcement as 'red tape' has weakened consumer protection and public safety.
 

Getting a trial ready for court

Posted: 15 January 2018

ANALYSIS: A failed prosecution over copycat government websites shows how careful case preparation, realistic charging decisions and evidential clarity can determine whether consumer protection cases withstand scrutiny in court.
 

EU withdrawal: It's the final countdown

Posted: 15 January 2018

OPINION: With Brexit approaching, this piece considers what withdrawal from the EU could mean for consumer protection, regulatory alignment and Trading Standards, warning that legal certainty may prove harder than political slogans suggest.
 

Govt sets sights on industry 'horizon'

Posted: 15 December 2017

UPDATES: The government's Industrial Strategy places regulation, innovation and consumer protection within a wider growth agenda, with new commitments on future regulation, small business support, Primary Authority and enforcement capacity.
 

Care complaints system criticised

Posted: 10 December 2017

UPDATES: A Competition and Markets Authority study finds care home complaints systems are confusing, poorly signposted and deter complaints through fear of reprisals, prompting calls for stronger consumer protections and more effective routes to redress.
 

Matt Allwright: Subscription traps

Posted: 23 October 2017

OPINION: Matt Allwright reflects on the hidden cost of subscription renewals, automatic payments and information overload, arguing that consumers need clearer reminders if they are to avoid paying for services they no longer want.
 

CPPD Module 12: Sunbed Compliance

Posted: 15 October 2017

DEVELOPMENT: This CPPD module explains the legal framework governing commercial sunbeds, covering product safety requirements, enforcement responsibilities, technical standards and practical compliance issues, before testing readers' knowledge with a self-assessment quiz.
 

Matt Allwright: EU Referendum

Posted: 15 August 2016

OPINION: With the EU referendum dominating headlines, Matt Allwright considers what Brexit could mean for consumer protection, cross-border shopping and everyday rights, urging readers to stay alert as the legal landscape changes.