Trading Standards for consumers

We work in partnership with Citizens Advice who offer free, impartial advice on consumer issues. Contact the Citizens Advice consumer service to get advice or report a business. They’ll refer complex or urgent enquiries and those needing further action to us.  

Cold callers and rogue traders

Doorstep crime involves cold callers and rogue traders trying to sell goods or services. It can include issues like not providing receipts or the right to cancel, or traders not completing work and leaving no way to contact them.

We work with partner agencies to help raise awareness and tackle potential offenders. We operate a rapid response protocol and whenever possible we aim to attend incidents, usually with the police, where elderly and vulnerable people have been approached by rogue traders.

Report cold callers and rogue traders 

If you, or someone you know, needs help to deal with a rogue trader you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service. They’ll advise you on what to do and if your case requires urgent assistance they’ll refer your details to us.  

Alternatively, you can contact the police.

No Cold Calling Zones

No Cold Calling Zones discourage doorstep callers from visiting a particular area and give local residents the confidence to say "no" to uninvited sales people. They’re identifiable by signs visibly promoting the message that cold callers are not welcome. Traders are urged to respect residents' wishes and not to cold call within the clearly defined zone.

See a full list of zones

Residents and local communities can set up a zone using a self-help toolkit. It includes a step-by-step guide with draft letters and voting forms. Ahead of the launch of a zone, following a consultation with key partner agencies, you’ll get door stickers and street signs.

No Cold Calling Zone toolkit guide (PDF, 388KB)                                                  

Consultation letter (ODT, 11KB)

Leaflet voting form (ODT, 10KB) 

Launch letter (ODT, 7KB)

Evaluation questionnaire (ODT,11KB)

Report a concern about the quality of food or drink

We inspect and sample food from farms through to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and caterers. We aim to ensure the quality, labelling, advertising and presentation of food complies with legal requirements so you can have confidence in the food you buy.

To report a concern about food or drink you’ve purchased, or a meal you’ve eaten, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service. They’ll give you advice and if the matter needs further investigation it will be referred to us. We may then visit the trader to investigate and depending on what we find, the action we take will vary from giving advice through to prosecution.

Report a concern about a farmed animal's health or welfare

We’ll investigate reports of farmed animals that may be diseased, abused, neglected, or otherwise suffering, as well as reports of livestock animal carcasses. We often work closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and do not necessarily resort to prosecution unless more supportive measures have failed.

If you have any concerns about farmed animals, contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.

Report underage sales of age-restricted products

There are age restrictions on a number of products to protect the health and safety of young people. You can see a list of the restricted products on the No ID, No Sale website. 

If you suspect a retailer of selling age-restricted products to people under the minimum age, report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service. 

To ensure compliance with age restrictions we conduct regular test purchases at off-licences using young volunteers. We also deal with problems relating to age-restricted products through routine inspection, advice to traders and education.

Find a Trading Standards approved business

The Business Approval Register is a register of Trading Standards approved businesses that are committed to supplying quality goods and services which consumers can trust. All businesses on the register must pass extensive checks before being referred to us for final approval. Businesses who fail to maintain the high standards to become a member are removed.

To find an approved trader, visit the Business Approval Register website.