For the very first time, businesses are under a general obligation not to trade unfairly. Everyone who deals with consumers will be affected including shopkeepers, builders, holiday companies and motor traders.
Councillor Craig McLaughlin, Spokesperson for the Corporate Services department has welcomed the change and he says “As well as protecting consumers, these new regulations will protect honest businesses from competitors who use underhand practices. This can only be good for so many of our local businesses who have worked long and hard to build up their client bases and excellent reputations.”
David McCulloch, Section Head of Trading Standards, says “The regulations also prohibit misleading actions and omissions. So, for example, if a business does not tell a consumer about an important aspect of the product he is selling, and if that omission causes the consumer to make a different decision, that is an offence. Aggressive trade practices, harassment and coercion are now specifically banned. This could apply to selling burglar alarms by needlessly scaring householders about the likelihood of their house being broken into.”
The new regulations also ban 31 named trading practices outright. These include claiming to be a signatory to a code of conduct whenyou are not, falsely claiming that a product is able to cure illnesses or dysfunctions, and claiming that the trader is about to cease trading or movepremises when they are not.
David McCulloch added “We know that many businesses will need help to comply with these new regulations. Businesses can call us on 01389 738505 or go to the Council website and follow the links to Trading Standards and Business Advice. Consumers can get advice from our partner Consumer Direct Scotland on 08454 04 05 06.
West Dunbartonshire’s Trading Standards Officers are as eagle eyed as ever and just as keen to protect their consumers as well as local businesses.
On the morning of Sunday July 13, a market trader has been rumbled selling counterfeit goods in a local car boot sale.
West Dunbartonshire’s Trading Standards Officers, accompanied by Strathclyde Police, seized 138 fakes including DVDs, sunglasses and watches following an intelligence-led operation at Yoker Market.
Trading Standards Officer Nicky Johnston said “138 items were seized from a trader in Yoker’s Sunday Market and a 24 year old male is currently under investigation concerning alleged breaches of Consumer Protection and Trade Marks Laws.”
Councillor Craig McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Corporate Services department, added “I am pleased to see that our Trading Standards Officers continue to be vigilant and proactive in relation to dealing with the illegal supply of counterfeit goods in West Dunbartonshire.”
For further information please contact Lynn McAdam on 01389 737297 or 07967 804 257
