Trading standards officer job

Professionals in the field of trading standards advocate for the interests of both businesses and customers. They provide guidance on the rules that control how we purchase, sell, rent, and hire products and services, and they actively enforce those laws.

Trading standards officers (TSOs) are employed by local governments to provide advice on consumer legislation, investigate complaints, and, if all else fails, prosecute businesses who breach the law. Trading standards officers are also responsible for enforcing laws.

These laws span a broad spectrum, which encompasses the following areas:

protection of the consumer

products that are not genuine

product labelling

the scales and the measuring tools

under-age sales

animal welfare

While some positions in the field of trade standards encompass all areas of the activity, others focus only on one area. There are a variety of responsibilities, such as:

checking in with local businesses as part of periodic inspections or to look into customer concerns

collecting representative samples of a product for analysis.

ensuring that measuring tools, such as scales and measuring cups, are accurate

ensuring that the information on food labels is accurate and that advertisements do not include any false information

counseling customers and companies with their legal obligations

researching possible violations of the law, which may include working secretly or conducting surveillance

gathering evidence and representing clients in legal proceedings

Writing reports and maintaining records will unavoidably be required.

Beginning in 2017, if you have the necessary credentials, you will be able to join the profession immediately from high school or college, rather than having to first complete an appropriate university program.

After entering a career, one will have access to a variety of options. You will have the chance to work anywhere in the UK, for both local and maybe national government, as well as for enterprises in the private sector, after you have completed the professional qualification and obtained the skills and knowledge it will provide you with. There are other chances of a similar kind available inside the EU and in other parts of the world.

A career in trade standards is not only intriguing and diverse, but it also provides the chance to positively influence the health, prosperity, and welfare of everyone. You will contribute to the protection of law-abiding enterprises and the general public against dishonest merchants and unethical business practices.