Trading Standards Service
A local service
100 Frequently Asked Questions
Made in Staffordshire Feasibility Study Workshop
The Trading Standards service in Staffordshire is the responsibility of the County Council. It is one of three services that together are known as 'Health and Consumer Services', the other two being Scientific Services and the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The cost of providing all three services is the equivalent of 5p a week for every man, woman and child in Staffordshire.
Trading Standards operates from three offices; in Burton-on-Trent, Newcastle under Lyme, and in Stafford town centre. Details of how to contact us are at the end of this leaflet.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council runs its own trading standards service.
Much of our work is to make sure that national laws to protect consumers are being complied with locally.
Above all, we want to make sure that our service meets local people's needs today and tomorrow.
This is, after all, Your County, Your Council and Your Service.
"Serving You" provides a snapshot of the work of Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards Service. The film is also available in video, CD Rom, audio CD and sub-title format. Please contact 01785 277888 if you would like further information or to request a copy.
Click here to view a copy of 'Serving You' (WMV format)
What we do
Our work includes:
- Weights and measures - from checking the quantity control systems in a food manufacturer, to making certain that you receive the full pint of beer in your local or the full litre of petrol at your garage. We also offer an independent and impartial calibration and verification service for weighing and measuring equipment.
- Descriptions - making sure that the prices you are quoted and the description of goods and services are accurate.
- Safety - from the safety of children's toys and the sale of cigarettes and solvents to children, to dangerous second-hand cars and overloaded vehicles. We also deal with the licensing of petrol sites.
- Food and agriculture - checking on the complete food chain: from the food consumed by farm animals, to the food on your plate.
- Animal health and welfare - controlling animal disease - foot-and-mouth for example - and the protection of farm animals from mistreatment.
- Information, advice and assistance - free advice and assistance to consumers and business on consumer law.
- Investigating rogue traders - we investigate traders who break consumer laws, including the turning back of car mileages (known as 'clocking') the selling of pirate copies of products (known as counterfeit goods), and loan sharks - unlicensed money lenders who prey on the vulnerable.
Getting a fair deal
Our job is to make sure that Staffordshire's consumers get a fair deal and that honest local traders are protected from the cheats and rogues that, sadly, still operate in the County.
Trading Standards Officers try to ensure that local people get a fair deal in a number of different ways:
- Offering advice to businesses on how to comply with the laws in their line of work.
- Visiting business premises to ensure that the laws are in fact being complied with.
- Taking samples of goods for examination to see whether they meet the legal standards - animal feed, for example, which is tested by the County Council's food scientists for ingredients that have been banned as a result of BSE.
- If the public is put at risk or there is fraud, Trading Standards Officers may prosecute the offenders.
If you don't get a fair deal, you can contact our offices using a single, low-cost number. You can use this number to receive information on your rights in law as well. The number is shown below.
We're seeking your help
We want to make sure that the way we work is relevant to local needs. That is why we want local people to step forward and help us by joining our Consumer Watchdog Scheme.
We are looking for local people who:
- would like to find out more about our work; or
- would like to act as our eyes and ears in their communities; or
- represent people that have special needs.
Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards provides free advice and a range of consumer leaflets. For more information, please contact our offices:
57 - 60 High Street,
Burton-upon-Trent, DE14 1JS.
14 Martin Street,
Stafford, ST16 2LG.
20 Sidmouth Avenue,
The Brampton,
Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 0QN.
Consumer Advice
Consumer advice and information in Staffordshire is now provided by Consumer Direct. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, which is supported by local authorities and by Government.
Consumer Direct provides clear, practical advice. From overcharging to faulty goods, and dodgy workmanship to reporting dishonest traders and scams, Consumer Direct works in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Advice Services offering first leve advice and information on a wide range of consumer issues. More complex problems, or complaints requiring further investigation or assistance are referred to Trading Standards or other advice services.
What does Consumer Direct do?
Consumer Direct can:
Help sort out a problem or disagreement with a trader
Help complain to a trader
Help make a complaint about a trader that you believe has done something wrong
Tell the consumer what their rights as a consumer are
Provide pre-shopping advice before consumers buy goods or services
Provide general advice on how to avoid unscrupulous traders or "cowboys"
Explain consumer-related issues such as warranties, buying on credit, internet shopping, refunds and replacements etc.
Provide advice on avoiding trading scams and rip-offs
Direct consumers to a regulator or another organisation if it is better suited to assist
Refer a consumer's case to their local Trading Standards Authority or similar agency if they are better suited to assist them
A wide range of consumer information and advice is also available online from the Consumer Direct website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Business Advice
08453 303 313
E mail businessadvice@staffordshire.gov.uk
Administration and other enquiries
Email janet.holloway@staffordshire.gov.uk
Telephone 01785 277888
Minicom number
01785 854156
All our leaflets are available in a range of formats and languages, including Braille and large print. If this would be useful to you or someone you know, please contact us.
If you are interested in joining our Consumer Watchdog Scheme, please
contact Cath Wohlers, Community Development Officer on 01785 277835 at the above address or on
cath.wohlers@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Health and Consumer Services has launched a new website made for young people, by young people to inform them of their consumer rights: www.no-ur-rites.com
Last Modified:
23/06/2008 13:46:56
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