Minister moves to reassure Trading Standards officers over spot check powers

The Consumer Minister this week sought to allay fears among Trading Standards officers that their ability to carry out spot checks will be restricted following the consumer enforcement powers review.

In a video address to the Trading Standards Institute’s annual conference in Manchester, Norman Lamb MP gave reassurances that Trading Standards teams would still be able to conduct unannounced inspections.

The Institute had previously expressed concern at the Government’s plans in a response to a recent consultation, Enhancing Consumer Confidence through effective enforcement: Consultation on consolidating and modernising consumer law enforcement powers..

Commenting after the Minister’s address, the TSI’s Operations and Policy Manager Andy Foster said: “A lot of the time trading standards officers pre-arrange their visits to make sure the business can prepare for it, as this makes for a productive and effective routine inspection.

“But being able to make an unannounced inspection is absolutely essential too – how can trading standards officers seize upon illegal activities if businesses are given the opportunity to clean up their act and premises before any visits?”

Foster added that the Institute was very pleased that due exemptions would be put in place for Trading Standards.