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What we do

Denbighshire’s Trading Standards Service enforces a varied range of legislation aimed at protecting both consumers and local businesses.  In addition to responding to complaints or requests for service we carry out routine inspections of the activities of business premises and locally based internet businesses.

As well as working closely with other trading standards services throughout the country we also engage in ‘partnership’ work with other enforcement authorities and agencies such as the Police, Customs, Fire and Rescue Service, DEFRA to name but a few.

The type of work we are involved with primarily falls under ‘criminal’ legislation which means rather than resolving issues by restoring purchasers to their original condition or seeking compensation, the penalties for any breaches can involve either fines and/ or imprisonment.  Examples of what we do will include ensuring that:

• weighing and measuring equipment is stamped as suitable for trade use  and is accurate, for example, spirit optics in a pub, petrol pumps, shop scales

• commercial road vehicles are not overloaded or dispersing to great a weight through their axles to the road surface thus causing damage to its structure.  An overloaded vehicle is also a danger to other road users as, if the design weight is being exceeded, the vehicles breaking efficiency will be compromised. Vehicles being sold are ‘roadworthy’

• traders accurately and truthfully describe their goods and services so that consumers are not misled into any purchase, for example, statements about vehicle mileages, holiday facilities
• credit advertisements and agreements include certain minimum information so that consumers can make informed decisions or choices 

• foods carry labelling which inform of such things as the products ingredients and also bear durability date markings

• ‘consumer’ products are safe for their intended or reasonably foreseeable use

• businesses storing petroleum, explosives, fireworks or poisons are either licensed or registered to do so with the local authority

• age restricted products are not sold to underage persons.  Such legislation is not in place so as to deprive people of using these products but rather to protect the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities

• vulnerable people are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals or businesses, for example, itinerant traders offering roofing or driveway repairs which may or may not be carried out and perhaps make a situation worse. 

Denbighshire Trading Standards work regularly with North Wales Police to disrupt the activities of rogue traders