Trading Standards
What we do
Trading Standards is responsible for protecting consumers and ensuring a fair and safe trading environment within Southwark.
We enforce trading standards legislation and offer free compliance advice to businesses within the borough. Further information for consumers and business follows in the sections below.
We also administer four Good Trader award schemes including one for the building and home maintenance trades. We offer free microwave oven leakage checks and have introduced the Southwark proof of age (SPA) card for students. For further details on these schemes see below.
Information for consumers
Making a complaint
Your first point of call should be Consumer Direct. This is a free national telephone and online service offering information and advice on consumer issues. If you call the Council's contact centre they will transfer your call automatically.
Consumer Direct will provide impartial advice to help you sort out problems and disagreements you may be having with suppliers of goods or services. The service is funded by the Office of Fair Trading and delivered in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Services.
All information received by Consumer Direct relating to Southwark based businesses or consumers is passed on to trading standards for further action or monitoring. We use the information received to help set priorities for enforcement actions or educational initiatives.
Other consumer protection websites
Trading Standards Central is a one stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK. The site is maintained by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI), the association of trading standards professionals. This site provides a wealth of information for consumers, businesses, schools, advice and information centres and community and trade organisations. Information on product recalls can also be found here.
The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) website provides information on a wide variety of consumer subjects and explains how they have strengthened safeguards for consumers in many areas.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) website gives information on how to avoid scams how to find trustworthy businesses to deal with.
The UK European Consumer Centre has information on your consumer rights in Europe and assistance with any cross-border disputes.
Southwark trader award schemes
Southwark trading standards currently runs four award schemes for the following areas
Microwave oven safety testing
We will carry out free leakage tests on microwave ovens for Southwark residents. For an appointment please contact us.
Southwark proof of age card (SPA)
The SPA card is London's first PASS approved proof of age card and is free to all students in Southwark’s schools and colleges in years 11 to 13 (15 to 18 year olds). Schools are still joining the scheme but it is also available to any Southwark resident aged 16 to 23.
Information for business
Compliance advice on trading standards requirements
Our officers are always pleased to help if you need advice on any of the areas we regulate. Our own trading standards business advice can be found on this website. This is designed to help businesses understand and comply with many trading standards requirements. Other sources of information include;
As well as providing advice we monitor and enforce trading standards at local businesses by;
- carrying out routine inspections or targetted projects
- investigating complaints
- test purchasing
Enforcement policy
Southwark Council has adopted the Government's Enforcement Concordat. We also have regard to the Regulators’ Compliance Code and endeavour to adopt a positive and proactive approach towards ensuring compliance. A copy of our enforcement policy is available on request.
We believe that close partnership between local business and the Council means:
- better consumer and business protection
- clarity about what is required and by when
- fair and consistent regulation
- action required is proportionate to the risks identified
Inpections at your business
Trading Standards Officers have the right to enter and inspect commercial premises when they are open for business. They do not have to make an appointment and usually will not make one. It's good practice to ask to see an officers official credentials or official identification before allowing them to proceed.
In certain circumstances officers will have the following powers:
- to make test purchases, take samples and photographs
- to inspect and test any goods, equipment or installations
- to seize and retain any food, goods or documents
- to inspect all parts of the premises
- to require the production and take copies of recordings (including computer records), documents and video recordings associated with the business
- to interview staff during the inspection
It may be an offence to obstruct or fail to give any assistance or information reasonably required by the officer or to give false or misleading information.
Your rights during an inspection
- When you are required or advised to do something you have the right on request to a written explanation of what you need to do, by when and why, and whether it is a legal requirement or a recommendation of good practice
- When immediate enforcement is taken you have the right to a written explanation as to why this action was necessary
- When other enforcement action is taken or proposed you have the right to have your point of view heard and for any alternative action (which must be equally effective) to be discussed
- When enforcement action is taken, you have the right to be told of any appeals mechanisms
- When items are seized you will be given a receipt
- If items are taken away to be tested you may have the right to test the items yourself.
If you are concerned about the possible implications for your business ask the inspecting officer what will happen next. Although the legislation we enforce is backed up by criminal penalties, in the vast majority of cases we endeavour to educate and advise businesses to achieve compliance rather than resort to prosecution.
Contact us
Southwark Trading Standards service
Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7525 5705
tradingstandards@southwark.gov.uk
The Chaplin Centre
Thurlow Street
London SE17 2DG |