About our operational activities

Our operational work covers a broad range of activities, outlined briefly below. The links in the text will take you to pages where you can find out more about the particular activity.

If you are a broadband user take a look at Kent TV where you will be able to see our officers tackling rogue traders (Link opens in new window).

Safer communities

We take action against businesses deliberately or persistently breaking the law by:

stopping or significantly disrupting their activities, particularly those involved in doorstep selling.
alerting local neighbourhoods to fraudulent traders in their area
providing a rapid targeted response to protect the most vulnerable people
reducing the supply of harmful age-restricted goods, such as alcohol, to underage young people

You can help by completing our online reporting form (anonymously if you wish) to let us know about doorstep criminals or traders selling counterfeit products or age restricted goods to young people.

We are also responsible for making sure that consumer products are safe including second-hand items and equipment supplied from hire shops. We have prosecuted dealers for selling unroadworthy cars and hiring out unroadworthy vans and minibuses. Poorly manufactured imports can be dangerous and we work closely with Customs to try to prevent such goods from entering the country.

We make sure safety standards are maintained at petrol stations. Plans for any new sites are examined and approved to ensure the sites are built to approved standards. We also monitor the construction work.

We register premises in Kent where explosives (from fireworks to blasting explosives) are stored and check that fireworks are of approved types and that they are not sold to people under 18. More information is available on our Licensing page.

Animal disease and livestock welfare

The well-being of farm animals, particularly in transit and at markets is our responsibility. Other activities, such as monitoring movement records and health certification of imported animals, are aimed at reducing the risk of animal diseases being spread.

The Animal Health Act also covers the controls aimed at preventing rabies from entering Britain, including the PETS passport scheme. We have detailed contingency plans which take effect in the case of a disease outbreak in Kent. (For example, Foot and mouth, Bluetongue and Avian Influenza). More information is available on our Farmers & Livestock holders page.

Food standards and healthy eating

We monitor the composition and labelling of food. We check that legal minimum standards (such as the amount of meat in sausages, burgers and pies) are complied with, and that illegal substitution does not occur. We also check that food is not sold after its "use-by" date.

Many similar requirements apply to commercial fertilizers and animal feeds used by farmers. Analytical samples are taken from local producers and suppliers.

Our annual Food Service Plan sets out the food enforcement activities we plan to carry out during the year.

Consumer credit and estate agency

It is our job to control the advertising and offering of all types of credit. Some vulnerable people who find it difficult to get credit through the normal channels fall victim to loan sharks. If you know of someone who offers short term, high interest loans to vulnerable people, or know of people who need help and advice please help by completing our report form (anonymously if you wish).

We are responsible for the rules which ensure that house sellers and buyers are dealt with fairly by estate agents, also the misdescription, by property developers and estate agents, of houses and business premises. In addition we are responsible for making sure the rules covering the supply of Home Information Packs are complied with.

But that's not all ...

As well as the areas of work outlined above we are also responsible for many other areas of trade. For example we monitor factories, shops and pubs, not only to check the products there but also the weighing and measuring equipment used in serving or packing the goods, even filling stations to make sure that the fuel pumps are dispensing accurately.

Other trading standards laws deal with such things as:

the security of deposits held by estate agents and package tour operators
the registration of premises for the sale of poisons
unlawful harassment by debt collection agencies
bogus one day sales (called "mock auctions")
demands for payment for unsolicited goods and services
price, quantity and descriptive information — we deal with everything from product counterfeiting to car clocking
The KCC Act controls the second hand market in Kent. Most dealers, including secondhand car dealers, must be registered and keep records of their transactions.

Investigations

From time to time Trading Standards use investigatory powers contained and controlled by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (as amended) and in appropriate investigations, when needed, we use lawful directed surveillance, interception of telecommunication data and covert human intelligence sources. The use of these powers are monitored by the relevant statutory bodies and by Kent County Council.

Should you wish to see a copy of the Codes of Practice please contact us and we will make the necessary arrangements. You can also get copies of the Codes and additional information about the legislation, the controls and safeguards by visiting the following useful websites:

If you believe that you have been a subject of any of these powers and feel that you wish to complain then please contact:

The Head of Trading Standards, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XX. Tel: 01622 221014

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal, PO Box 33220, London
SW1H 9ZQ. Tel: 0207 035 3711

The Tribunal can investigate anything you believe has taken place against you, your property or communications, as long as it relates to a power held by the organisation you are complaining about, under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.