Consumers have the right to expect goods or services they buy are accurately described and fairly priced, with honest credit or hire terms offered. Businesses have the right to trade on equal terms.
Part of our work is to ensure that consumers are treated fairly by traders supplying those goods or services. South Gloucestershire Trading Standards investigates complaints relating to possible criminal offences under a wide range of legislation as well as advising and working with local businesses to help them comply.
One area our officers deal with is known as fair trading, and covers issues such as consumer credit, business names, counterfeiting, pricing, description of goods, and rogue traders for example.
For businesses seeking advice, there are a number of advice and guidance leaflets listed below. Alternatively, you can contact Trading Standards using the details on this page.
For consumer complaints or enquiries, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Advice & Guidance Leaflets
Please click on the link in the Fast Fact box on the right hand side for a list of available advice and guidance leaflets. If you are unable to find the information you require, please get in touch.
ERWIN
ERWIN (Everything Regulation, Whenever It's Needed) is a one-stop website for all Trading Standards business related information. Guidance on all aspects of Trading Standards issues can be found on this site along with links to a number of relevant resources on the internet.
To access this website, please use the link on the right-hand side of this page.
Sale of Goods Act HUB and Distance Selling HUB
The Office of Fair Trading has recently launched two new advice tools aimed at businesses.
The Sale of Goods Act (SOGA) hub provides comprehensive and up to date guidance on the Sale of Goods Act for retailers and business support organisations.
The Distance Sellling hub (DS) guidance for retailers on regulations that affect buying and selling goods and services via the internet, phone, mail order, email, interactive TV or text. The DS hub has everything a business needs to know about these regulations, and improving familiarity with them can save time, money and help retain customers. Like the SOGA hub the information is relevant and supportive, in one easy to access place, user friendly, straightforward and engaging. Materials include an at-a-glance guide, detailed explanations, handy checklists and practical examples.
Links to both these advice tools are available on in the Other Websites box on the right hand side of this page.