Protecting your community in local government trading
standards
Introduction
Local government trading standards officers work to safeguard the
public - they help to protect businesses and consumers from rogue
traders and illegal trading practices.
Work Environment
Local government trading standards officers are office-based, but
spend most of their time visiting traders and suppliers.
Appearances at court to give evidence may be required, and they
have to enter all sorts of premises, some of which are dirty and
unpleasant. They may work alone, or within a team depending on the
scale of an investigation
Daily Activities
If you've ever bought designer clothing with a fake label or an
unsafe electrical product, you may have needed the help of a
trading standards officer. Local government trading standards
officers protect consumers against fraud, counterfeit or unsafe
products and criminal practice.
Trading standards work has three broad aims:
- to educate, inform and advise consumers;
- to educate, inform and advise businesses;
- to ensure that trading takes place in a fair and safe
environment.
Local government trading standards officers have a number of
important roles. They provide advice to consumers about their
rights, monitor the standard of products and services, make routine
inspections to businesses, investigate complaints and on occasions
have to enforce consumer law. The work varies according to
location. Those working in rural areas might spend a lot of their
time on animal health and agriculture, those based in more urban
areas might be concerned with street traders, shops and factories
and those based in ports work closely with customs examining import
goods.
Some of the tasks a local government trading standard officer
might expect to be involved in are:
- ensuring the correct transport of livestock to market;
- checking weighing machines and food labels in shops;
- checking beer and spirit measures in pubs;
- dealing with traders selling faulty goods;
- investigating misleading advertising campaigns;
- identifying potential hazards, such as unsafe electrical goods
or unroadworthy vehicles;
- giving legal advice to people about their consumer rights;
- giving evidence in court cases against rogue traders.
Enforcing legislation through the courts is always a last resort
and trading standards officers get involved in collecting evidence,
preparing the case, as well as giving evidence. Most local
government trading standards officers also undertake a public
relations and education role, spending some time giving talks to
schools and interested groups.
Skills & Interests
Local government trading standards officers need:
- to be excellent communicators and able to talk to people from
many different backgrounds;
- good problem solving and investigative skills;
- good practical ability;
- to be good at working on their own initiative and in a
team;
- to be calm under pressure;
- to enjoy a challenge.
Entry Requirements
The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) professional qualifications
in consumer affairs and trading standards are at four levels:
Foundation Certificate in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards;
Module Certificate in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards;
Diploma in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards (DCATS); Higher
Diploma in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards (HDCATS). You
can combine study with paid employment and work up through the
qualifications, or you can study for a TSI accredited degree and
start professional qualifications at a higher level. The following
organisations provide TSI accredited degree courses:
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There is a clear career path, from technical and assistant level,
through to consumer adviser, trading standards officer and then
principal or senior officer and managerial positions. It
might be necessary to move to a different local council to gain
promotion. However, there might also be opportunities in
other local government public protection services such as
environmental health, planning or building control.
Further Information & Services
Trading Standards Careers information www.tscareers.org.uk
Trading Standards Institute www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.