Trading Standards Fraud Prosecuting Authorities

The Competition and Markets Authority took over the role of the Office of Fair Trading in 2014.  Some of the areas it governs include the Competitions Act and cartels, consumer protection and markets. Unlike the local authority trading standards offices who handle affairs within their respective geographical locations, the CMA handles cases on a national scale such as pyramid promotional schemes, civil cartels involving anti-competitive pricing and payday lending.

Prosecuting authorities tasked with enforcing regulation and legislation in trading standards fraud include:

• Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
• Local Authority Trading Standards Offices
• Food Standards Agency (FSA)
• Financial Conduct Authority
• The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority.

Trading Standards

The scope of Trading Standards is vast. Most commonly they represent the Local Authority in dealing with and reacting to ever-evolving legislation in a wide range of areas. The prime focus is the enforcement of consumer-related legislation. Originally known as the Weights and Measures Department tasked with a policing a fairly small field, their work has expanded to police and regulatory legislation created by the government.

Trading Standards have a more general economic purpose. Their role is not simply to police individuals or businesses but instead, guide them through the regulatory framework and remove any individuals that seek to damage legitimate commerce by acting outside the regulations.

Trading Standards exist to ensure that the consumer receives the fairest price and service and is present to prevent legitimate businesses from being disadvantaged by rogue trading companies or individuals.

What areas are covered by Trading Standards?

Trading Standards have expanded their role to a wide variety of areas. These are some of the common areas they oversee:

• Consumer safety
• Counterfeit goods
• Product labelling
• Weights and measures
• Under-age sales
• Animal welfare

If you believe you are breaching Trading Standards regulations, get in touch with our team of fraud barristers for advice.