Trading Standards

What is Trading Standards?

Trading standards is a service which protects the interests of consumers and businesses across the UK.

Who runs Trading Standards?

Trading standards is run and funded by local councils. Every unitary council, county council, metropolitan council and London borough will have a trading standards service, which means there are over 200 in the UK. Reading Borough Council’s trading standards service is in the environment, culture and sport directorate.

If you live somewhere else in the UK, the external link to the trading standards central web site below will help you find your local trading standards service.

Who decides what Trading Standards do?

The UK government and the European Union make laws that trading standards enforce. The laws enforced are as diverse as animal health and food standards to fake DVDs and age restricted sales. As there are so many laws to enforce, local councillors can decide what trading standards should concentrate on.

For example, if a neighbourhood is having problems with anti social behaviour caused by young people drinking alcohol, local councillors can ask the trading standards service to focus on making sure retailers don’t sell alcohol to young people under the age of eighteen.

If you think trading standards should be concentrating on a particular area, contact your local councillor through the "Related Information" section.

Sometimes there are national emergencies that need trading standards to respond to very quickly.

Who works for Trading Standards?

The officers who work for trading standards have studied for exams and gained qualifications in general and specialist areas of trading standards work. If you are interested in a career in trading standards, the external link to the trading standards central web site will point you in the right direction.

How do I get access to the Trading Standards Service?

You can contact trading Standards for pre-shopping advice or finding out what your rights are when something goes wrong.

Our partnership organisation, Consumer Direct, delivers our consumer advice service. They will inform trading standards of any complaints made and the information will be checked to see if a trading standards crime has been committed. See the Consumer Advice section on the left hand side for further information.

Article		Description
	Legislation	A list of legislation currently enforced by the Trading Standards Service
	Neighbouring Trading Standards	We have produced a list of neighbouring authority Trading Standards Departments
	Contact Trading Standards	Use this form to contact the Trading Standards Service
	Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)	Information about Avian Influenza

External Links

Reading Borough Council does not necessarily endorse or recommend any of the links or services below. Please note: when you follow these links you will leave this site.

Link	Description
Trading Standards	Find your local trading standards service