Trading standards officer : Job description

Trading standards officers (TSO) 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. They generally work for local councils, advising on consumer law and investigating complaints but can also be employed in private advisory positions.

TSOs are also involved in preventing, detecting and prosecuting offences. They liaise with agencies including the police, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) , Citizens Advice Bureau , 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 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.