What we do

Trading Standards enforces and advises on a wide range of legislation, including:

• Fair trading malpractices
• Safety of goods
• Misleading prices
• Counterfeit goods
• False claims on goods and services
• Weighing and measuring of goods

Who are our customers?

• Westminster residents
• Westminster businesses

We can:

• Offer free advice and information on consumer statutory rights to Westminster residents
• Advise Westminster based businesses on relevant legislation
• Investigate breaches of consumer protection legislation
• Prosecute traders who commit serious offences of this legislation
• Inpect traders premises
• Provide a wide range of information on consumer protection matters and other relevant agencies.

Trading Standards Officers powers include:

• Entering and inspecting business premises, inspecting goods and documents, making test purchases and taking samples
• Seizing and detaining goods
• Issuing suspension notices
• Instituting legal proceedings
• It is a criminal offence to obstruct an officer who is carrying out their duty.

Trading Standards have no powers to close a business down.

Further Information

For more information including links to business & consumer advice visit our Advice Links page.

Contact the team

For information on how to contact the team or Citizens Advice see the contact us page.