New trading standards rule out dodgy sales and marketing

How up to date are you with the latest consumer trading laws to protect your business from traders using underhand practices and unfair competition?

The new regulations introduced last month are designed to plug the gaps in the old 40-year-old legislation which was way past its sell-by date and made it difficult to clampdown on rogues acting against the interests of consumers and honest businesses.

Affecting every business dealing with consumers – from retailers, to car dealers, to builders – the rules not only clamp down on sales but dodgy marketing practices too, which might be aggressive, lies or simply leaving out important information, designed to harm the ecomonic interests of whoever’s buying.

Did you know it’s now banned to advertise directly to children inducing them to buy, or persuade their parents? It’s also banned to hold false closing down sales or say a product is only available for a limited time when it isn’t. And that’s only a small sample of the 31 banned practices.

Get in touch with Islington Council’s trading standards department who will outline exactly what the new Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations mean for business owners, managers and staff.

Or better still, sign your company up as a member of Islington Traders Scheme for advance warning and briefing in all changes to the trading rules. If you’re displaying the ITS red shopping bag logo, customers can choose to buy from you in full confidence that you are aware of all consumer law and their statutory rights?

For details about ITS contact Islington Business Partnership
on 020 7527 3185 or e-mail businesspartnership@islington.gov.uk
or contract Islington’s trading standards department at 159 Upper Street,
or call 020 7527 3198 or email trading.standards@islington.gov.uk