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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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Playing it safe at the 2019 Toy Fair

Posted: 21 February 2019

ANALYSIS: From traditional toys to emerging trends, a visit to the 2019 Toy Fair offers a closer look at product safety, innovation and the challenges facing manufacturers, retailers and enforcement professionals.
 

Taking control on offensive weapons

Posted: 04 February 2019

ANALYSIS: The Offensive Weapons Bill introduces long-awaited controls on corrosive substances and dangerous products, but its implications for sales, delivery, age checks and enforcement demand close attention from trading standards.
 

OPSS marks first birthday

Posted: 24 January 2019

ANALYSIS: One year after its launch, the Office for Product Safety and Standards has expanded rapidly. This assessment considers whether the organisation has delivered meaningful improvements in product safety, enforcement and support for businesses.
 

The intelligence-led operations model

Posted: 01 January 2019

ANALYSIS: The intelligence-led operations model promises more targeted enforcement, but the article questions whether it strengthens proactive trading standards work or risks narrowing activity around the intelligence already available.
 

The growing danger of laser pointers

Posted: 30 November 2018

ANALYSIS: Laser pointers can cause permanent eye damage and endanger transport workers, yet their availability and misuse create difficult questions for product safety, online sales and enforcement.
 

Tackling product safety issues online

Posted: 12 November 2018

ANALYSIS: The OECD’s campaign on online product safety highlights the enforcement challenge created by digital marketplaces, where unsafe goods can reach consumers quickly across borders.
 

Military medals: a matter of honour

Posted: 02 November 2018

ANALYSIS: Counterfeit military medals offend more than intellectual property rights; they cheapen genuine service, enable false claims of heroism and give trading standards a role in protecting public trust.
 

Make Halloween the right kind of scary

Posted: 25 October 2018

ANALYSIS: Halloween should be remembered for fun, not tragedy. Using the Claudia Winkleman costume fire as a stark example, this guide explains the clothing, flame and fireworks risks families should understand before celebrating.
 

How to enjoy a safe Bonfire Night

Posted: 25 October 2018

ANALYSIS: Bonfire Night can be enjoyed safely with the right precautions. From buying CE-marked fireworks to responsible use and storage, this practical guide explains how to reduce the risk of serious injuries.
 

Looking back at LTS Week 2018

Posted: 01 October 2018

ANALYSIS: London Trading Standards Week 2018 tackled major consumer issues through themed campaigns, using real enforcement work on used cars, lettings and other priorities to raise awareness and encourage informed purchasing decisions.
 

Speaking out on food allergies

Posted: 28 September 2018

ANALYSIS: Research reveals many young people with food allergies lack the confidence to ask about allergens when eating out. The FSA's Easy to ASK campaign encourages businesses and consumers to improve conversations that could prevent life-threatening reactions.
 

Underage sales big challenge in London

Posted: 14 September 2018

ANALYSIS: Test purchasing across London reveals continuing illegal sales of knives, alcohol and tobacco to children, underlining the need for coordinated enforcement with police and retailers to tackle youth harm and knife crime.
 

EU data roaming charges post-Brexit

Posted: 16 August 2018

ANALYSIS: Free EU data roaming had quickly become part of ordinary travel for UK consumers, but Brexit raised difficult questions over reciprocal network agreements, wholesale charges and whether existing protections could survive outside the Digital Single Market.
 

Safety & Standards strategy announced

Posted: 16 August 2018

ANALYSIS: The Office for Product Safety and Standards has set out its first strategy, promising stronger national incident response, better recall information, border support and closer work with local authorities, manufacturers and CTSI expertise.
 

Worried consumers still need the UK ECC

Posted: 29 June 2018

ANALYSIS: As Brexit raised questions over future cross-border redress, the UK European Consumer Centre’s casework showed why European cooperation still mattered for consumers. From complex disputes with overseas traders to small claims, recalls and package travel, the Centre’s 16,000 cases a year underlined the risks of leaving shoppers without a practical route to help.
 

£1.6m POCA order for Operation Gleam

Posted: 25 June 2018

ANALYSIS: Operation Gleam began with unsafe tooth-whitening products at the Royal Welsh Show and grew into a multi-agency fraud investigation exposing eight years of phoenix companies, misleading sales and dangerous peroxide levels. Powys Trading Standards’ £1.6m POCA order showed how persistence, regional cooperation and financial investigation can turn a local enquiry into serious enforcement.
 

Scammers in the summer

Posted: 24 May 2018

ANALYSIS: Summer events bring opportunities for rogue traders as well as families, with fake tickets, bogus holidays, counterfeit goods, unsafe products and poor food standards all finding a market around fairs, concerts and car boot sales. The article shows how trading standards, legislation and schemes such as Real Deal help protect consumers and legitimate traders.
 

Enforcement balance at sporting events

Posted: 23 May 2018

ANALYSIS: As Birmingham 2022 approached, questions over security, trading restrictions and public space highlighted the difficult balance between protecting major sporting events and ensuring host communities and local businesses share in their benefits.
 

The real cost of fake goods

Posted: 23 May 2018

ANALYSIS: Counterfeiting reaches far beyond lost brand revenue, exposing consumers to dangerous products, organised crime and significant economic harm while creating growing enforcement challenges for trading standards and partner agencies.
 

Govt tackles rogue letting agents

Posted: 14 May 2018

ANALYSIS: Government promises to reform the lettings sector are examined alongside long-standing concerns over enforcement, regulation and consumer protection, asking whether the latest proposals will finally deliver meaningful change.