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The overall aim of the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is to ensure that there is a fair market place where informed, knowledgeable consumers can confidently interact with compliant businesses. We aim to deliver our services in a measured and responsive manner whilst addressing the needs of all our users, consumers and businesses.
Consumer Complaints
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Keeping Businesses and Consumers Informed
We have introduced the Newsflash system ? a free email newsletter where you select the type of content you want to receive. So if you sell food, non food or provide a service; manufacture or import; are from a community group or just want to keep up to date with relevant changes, why not sign up? Simply click on the Newsflash logo to go to the registration page. Once there, just tick the subject areas you are interested in and you will receive information that is relevant to your needs.
The Newsflash system is in addition to being able to follow the Service on Twitter. Simply click on the Twitter logo on this page. If you are not registered with Twitter, updates are also regularly fed onto this page. |
What we do
We recognise that in the current economic climate that legitimate businesses are finding it difficult enough to keep trading without Trading Standards imposing further burdens. That is why we have a policy of 'no intervention without a reason'. We are here to help and provide assistance but will not hinder honest businesses. At the same time the activity of rogue traders harms consumers and honest traders struggling to stay afloat so we will take action to stop their activity.
Rogue Traders and Doorstep Selling
We work hard to combat rogue traders who often prey on the most vulnerable. We set up Cold Calling Control Zones to help to combat the problem of doorstep crime.
Underage Sales
When complaints are received about premises selling age-restricted products to underage children, these are investigated.
Food
We ensure food is safe, correctly described and labelled, and contains the right ingredients. We inspect food premises, sample and test purchase foods for analysis, and provide business advice on quality systems and best practice.
Descriptions and Counterfeit Goods
We deal with issues which affect everyone, such as falsely described or counterfeit goods. Counterfeit goods are often shoddy and dangerous. If the goods fall apart consumers wont get refunded and because of this activity honest manufacturers and retailers lose millions of pounds each year and jobs are lost.
Pricing
Price displays in retail premises are checked to ensure that they are accurate which helps buyers to assess value and protect themselves.
Consumer Credit
We enforce credit legislation to ensure information given to consumers, for example in adverts, is clear and accurate.
Product Safety
Officers visit shops to inspect goods and to take samples for testing to ensure that items are safe. We also visit manufacturers and importers based in West Yorkshire to discuss the safety of their products, giving guidance on how items are presented and on any instructions that may be needed for safe use.
Weights and Measures
We check the accuracy of a wide range of weighing and measuring equipment, for example ? petrol pumps, weighing scales and weighbridges. See also Calibration.
To make a consumer complaint contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or click here and use the online form.
