Trading standards

Why have trading standards?

Our job is to ensure that fair-trading is carried out in Lewisham for the benefit of consumers and local trade and business. Consumers have a right to receive value for money and trade and business should not be subjected to unfair competition from those operating outside the law.

What does trading standards do?

• we inspect trade and business premises to make sure that laws concerning quality, quantity, fair-trading, safety and price are complied with
• we provide an advice and enquiry service to both consumers and local trade and business
• consumers who may be in dispute or concerned about goods and services purchased can contact us via consumer direct for advice and information
• locally based trade and business can also contact us for advice on how to deal with a customer complaint or what legal requirements apply
• where it seems that a trade or business has committed a criminal consumer law offence, we will investigate and take appropriate action.

Who can use Lewisham trading standards?

Consumers who live, or make purchases, within the borough of Lewisham and traders and businesses located in the borough.

What powers do trading standards have?

Officers have the power to enter and inspect trade and business premises, inspect goods and documents, make purchases and take samples.

Items which officers feel may break the law or may be needed as evidence can be seized and detained. Officers will explain what they are doing and why and generally exercise their powers in a sensitive manner.

Trading Standards has no power to close businesses down or to force a trader to refund money or exchange goods. In the latter case our role is to advise on how the law applies and how the matter might be resolved

In disputes involving poor quality goods or services, the consumer can sue the trader in the civil courts.

Sometimes the trader may wish to sue the consumer (e.g. for non-payment). The successful party is usually awarded compensation.

Trading Standards may prosecute a trade or business if they are found to be breaking a criminal consumer law.

Please note that matters relating to food safety, hygiene and quality are dealt with by the Food Safety Team.

Latest news from Trading Standards

What we got up to in 2007 - 2008