Consumer watchdogs gather at the University

New legislation to curb rogue traders was debated at the University by trading standards officers from across the North East.

Over 100 delegates from trading standards departments and industry converged in Middlesbrough for the second annual Consumer Law conference, organised by the University.

Around a third of delegates at the event were former Teesside students, who had completed the BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation and Consumer Law before going off to work for trading standards departments.

Issues discussed at the conference included recent new legislation, Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, which focuses on trading practices. The new legislation, which replaces the Trade Descriptions Act, offers consumers more protection against scams and sales techniques which mislead the customer.

Prevent customers from being misled John Whisson, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader, BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation and Consumer Law, said: ‘It is brand new legislation which will help to prevent customers from being misled and will focus on how a sale is conducted.

‘This new legislation is far more wide ranging than the Trade Descriptions Act. Instead of having specific offences, the legislation is now less restricted, which means trading standards officers are able to investigate what could be an unfair trading practice.

‘It covers everything from copycat packaging and scams, to the way a sale is conducted. It also allows civil action, which means enforcement officers from trading standards departments can obtain an injunction against unfair traders.’

He added: ‘This annual conference enables enforcement officers, along with delegates from the industry, to share good practice and update their legal knowledge.’

Speakers at the conference included Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute. Representatives from the Anti-Counterfeiting Group also attended as exhibitors, allowing them to forge links with those working in enforcement in trading standards departments.

For more information about the conference or the BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation and Consumer Law contact John Whisson on 01642 342519.

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