Trading standards Trading standards Service carries out a wide range of activities to protect and advise consumers and businesses and to maintain and improve standards of trading. The service is responsible for administering trading standards legislation that governs the quality, quantity, safety, price and description of goods and services. The trading standards service also gives money advice, with the aim of providing sensible solutions to the pressure of debt problems The service's responsibilities can be split into five sections: Trading Practices; Quality and Quantity; Consumer Safety; Consumer Advice; and Money Advice. Helpful Advice from ERC Trading Standards Advice on Doorstep Crime and Bogus Callers. Click here to download. Advice on Internet Scams. Click here to download. Advice on the Top Ten Scams. Click here to download. Advice on Junk Mail. Click here to download. Trading Practices Investigate unfair trading practices Take action against car clocking fraud Take action against undisclosed traders Take action against false trade descriptions Monitor advertisements Take action against misleading price displays Undertake price/value surveys Provide advice to businesses Inform consumers and traders of scam activity Maintain links with neighbouring authorities to safeguard interests of traders and consumers Give talks to traders and consumer groups Quantity and Quality Ensure the accuracy of all trade weights and measures Investigate complaints of short weight or measure Ensure control in factories of quantity in packaged goods Carry out test purchase programmes Provide calibration services for trade and industry Carry out projects to monitor quantity of goods sold, such as petrol, coal etc Monitor animal foodstuffs and fertilisers for compliance with legislation Monitor animal welfare, such as animal movement licensing Consumer Safety Take action to prevent the sale of unsafe goods Ensure safe storage and supply of petroleum products Enforce safe storage and sale of fireworks Enforce legislation purporting to underage sales Ensure appropriate safety warnings are carried on chemical products Sample and test consumer products such as toys, electrical goods, pushchairs, fireworks etc. Consumer Advice Advise consumers of their rights Investigate consumer complaints Advise businesses of their obligations in consumer contracts Conciliate and arbitrate in disputes between consumers and traders If complaints are not within remit of Trading Standards, endeavour to find the appropriate body Maintain links with neighbouring authorities to enable cross boundary complaint resolution Money Advice Provide debt counselling, a free, confidential, comprehensive service Arrange debt adjustment/rescheduling Provide court representation Negotiate with creditors, including mortgage lenders Assist with all aspects of insolvency
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