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News Room


Welcome to CTSI's News Room. Browse through our latest Consumer Protection and Trading Standards news reports (below), or take a look through our archive of news articles from previous years.


MEDIA ENQUIRIES :  We can provide expert opinion, comments and spokespeople on a wide range of Trading Standards, consumer protection and regulatory issues - or point you in the right direction. Please call our press office on 01268 582240 or 07811244602, or email us: [email protected]



Beware of unsafe Christmas toys available online experts warn

Posted: 23/11/2021

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) and ROSPA are raising concerns about online purchases of toys this Christmas. In what looks like a return to a lockdown-free Christmas, CTSI warns the public to be cautious when purchasing toys, particularly online, with Statista reporting that online market revenue in the UK is expected to reach almost £90bn by the end of 2021. While, in October, BTHA raised concerns about the safety of toys purchased through third-party sellers on online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay in its Still Toying with Children's Safety report.

Operation MONTY keeps shoppers and businesses safe from counterfeit goods in the run up to the festive season

Posted: 19/11/2021

The National Markets Group for IP Protection (NMG), a multi-agency focus group aimed at reducing the availability of counterfeit goods at physical markets and online, is warning consumers to watch out for fake, and potentially dangerous goods, that may appear on social media in the run up to the festive shopping season.

CTSI says new Trade and Agriculture Commission a bit like a curate's egg

Posted: 17/11/2021

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) views the creation of the UK Government's Trade and Agriculture Commission as a little like a curate's egg - good in parts. 

Trading Standards tackles Greenwashing for a sustainable future

Posted: 12/11/2021

Pledges were made this week by nations from across the globe to work towards carbon neutral targets to help save our planet for future generations. These are serious discussions about important issues; ultimately though its success will depend on how consumers embrace Net Zero and purchase products and services in a more environmentally friendly manner.

Environmentally unfriendly garden compost containing peat breaches UK Green Claims Code and may mislead consumers

Posted: 10/11/2021

As the COP26 UN Climate Change conference draws to a close this week in Glasgow, Trading Standards
officials in Scotland have revealed details of a national project looking at the peat content of garden
compost in response to increasing environmental concerns and the introduction of new Competition and
Markets Authority (CMA) guidance on misleading environmental claims – the ‘Green Claims Code’1.

CTSI issues warning ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Posted: 09/11/2021

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is warning consumers ahead of the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales events on Friday, 26 November and Monday, 29 November, respectively. 

£4.8bn council funding boost opportunity for trading standards investment

Posted: 05/11/2021

The UK Government announced an increase to Local Authority core funding totalling £4.8bn. The Department for Levelling up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) will increase funding by 9.4% over the three-year spending review period, to £12.5bn by 2024-25. This rise is the most significant percentage increase among all government departments at this year's budget.

Plan to achieve good quality of life for all animals in Wales published

Posted: 04/11/2021

A five-year plan which outlines steps towards achieving the ambition of ensuring a good quality of life for all animals in Wales will be published today by the Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths.

CCAS raises business reputation among its code sponsors

Posted: 01/11/2021

According to a recent survey of its business code sponsors, the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) announced that almost 94% believed membership in the scheme raised their reputation.

Deprioritisation of £14 million investment in regulatory compliance apprenticeships "considerably disappointing"

Posted: 26/10/2021

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) have voiced their "considerable disappointment" at the announcement that the Government's spending review will not consider a proposed ring-fenced fund for regulatory compliance apprenticeships.

Safety advice issued for first Fireworks Night and Diwali since lifting of COVID-19 restrictions

Posted: 22/10/2021

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued fireworks safety advice ahead of the upcoming Diwali and Fireworks Night celebrations, on November 4 and 5, respectively.

Trading Standards Officer wins Hero Award for allergen project inspired by the late Megan Lee

Posted: 20/10/2021

Dilys Harris, a Senior Trading Standards Officer at Caerphilly County Borough Council, has been recognised by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) for her work on a recent food allergen project.


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