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Trading standards officer: Job description and activities

Job description

The role of a trading standards officer (TSO) is to act on behalf of consumers and businesses to advise on and enforce laws that govern the way goods and services are bought, sold and hired. Specifically, TSOs must ensure compliance with legislation such as the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, the Consumer Protection Act and the Weights and Measures Act.

TSOs are also involved in the prevention, detection and prosecution of offences. They liaise with agencies including the police, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) , Citizens Advice , trade organisations and legal professionals.

Areas of work vary but may include animal welfare, agriculture, commercial fraud, counterfeiting, product labelling, weights and measures, safety and pricing, under-age selling, credit and loans.

Typical work activities

Trading standards officers (TSOs) undertake a wide range of tasks, which may include:

• visiting trading premises, e.g. pubs, petrol stations, factories and markets, in order to carry out routine tests, or in response to a complaint;
• checking weighing machines and food labels in shops;
• checking beer and spirit measures in pubs;
• ensuring the correct transport of livestock to market;
• dealing with traders selling faulty goods;
• identifying potential hazards, such as unsafe electrical goods or unroadworthy vehicles;
• checking that advertisements and labels compare accurately describe the properties of the products;
• taking samples for laboratory analysis;
• offering business advice to help traders comply with legislation;
• investigating suspected offences, sometimes undercover and with the police or other agencies;
• presenting evidence at court in criminal proceedings;
• giving legal advice to members of the public about their consumer rights;
• keeping up to date with new legislation, new cases and guidance procedures;
• educating consumers and businesses, which may involve giving talks to schools, businesses and various consumer and vulnerable adult groups;
• writing reports, statements, letters, articles and consultation documents, and keeping accurate records.

TSOs are also supported in their work by enforcement/fair trading officers, and consumer advisers (CAs). Enforcement/fair trading officers undertake similar work to TSOs with the exception of dealing with weights and measures. CAs are often the first point of call for the public. If the case involves criminal law, the CA will refer the matter to a TSO for investigation.

AGCAS

Written by Alex Elkins, University of Hertfordshire

Last updated:

June 2009

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