Fair Trading
Please note that this service is not available from Stafford Borough Council. For further information please contact Staffordshire County Council using the contact details below.
Trading Standards
Fair trading covers a wide area of consumer protection law such as the Trade Descriptions Act, Property Misdescriptions Act, Consumer Credit Act and many more Acts of Parliament besides. The primary purpose of this type of legislation is to ensure 'truthfulness of trade' thus preventing consumers being misled during contractual negotiations for goods and services.
| Service ID: | 789 |
|---|---|
| email: | webmaster@staffordshire.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01785 223121 |
| sms: | not available |
| fax: | 01785 215153 |
| complaints: | SCC Feedback Form |
For further information please contact the Staffordshire County Council Website at www.staffordshire.gov.uk
Trade Descriptions Act 1968
The Act ensures that descriptions applied to goods and services are accurate and has been used successfully to combat common problems such as car 'clocking' and product counterfeiting. Its scope is very wide and also covers descriptions applied in all areas of trade.
Property Misdescriptions Act 1991
This Act is designed to regulate those persons in the course of estate agency or property development business who falsely describe or make misleading statements in relation to land. This includes amongst other things descriptions in relation the address and location of a property, room sizes, easements and maintenance charges.
Consumer Credit Act 1974
This Act is designed to regulate those businesses or individuals who offer credit facilities to consumers so that there is 'truth in lending' and covers areas such as advertising, loans, mortgages and other credit transactions.
We aim to ensure that:
- Credit is fairly provided
- Goods, services and property are not misdescribed
- Holidays and timeshare accommodation are not misrepresented
- Prices are correctly displayed and do not mislead
- Traders do not sell counterfeit goods
- Steps are taken to end unfair trading practices
- Terms in consumer contracts are fair
Further information is available from the Office of Fair Trading's website. It is designed with two purposes:
- to protect consumers and explain their rights
- to ensure that businesses compete and operate fairly.
You can find essential information for businesses on how to comply with legislation enforced by the Office of Fair Trading, check advice on consumer issues, follow the progress of investigations and action taken, or simply download the leaflets and reports.
Alternatively, you can contact our Trading Standards Officers using the details at the top of this page.