Business advice & information

Kent Trading Standards has a responsibility to enforce a wide range of consumer legislation concerning fair trading, quality, quantity and safety and to control farm animal welfare and disease.

We offer advice and information to help local businesses comply with the law and work to national guidelines known as the Home Authority Principle. The Home Authority Principle has been developed by food and trading standards authorities as an aid to good enforcement practice which protects the consumer, encourages fair trading, consistency and common sense. It aims to encourage authorities to place special emphasis on goods and services originating within their area; provide businesses with a home authority source of guidance and advice; support efficient liaison between local authorities and provide a system for the resolution of problems and disputes.

A full explanation of the principle can be found on the Home Authority Principle page.

You can find more information about the way we work and our operational activities in the about us section. Documents such as our Business Plan and enforcement policy can be found in the publications section.

Help for your business

These pages provide advice and information including a wide variety of up to date Business advice guidance notes and leaflets which you can download. Staff at our area offices will also respond as quickly as they can to any reasonable request for help from a business in their area about any of the legislation we enforce.

If you are running a small business, or are thinking of doing so, see our Small business advice page for useful links.

If you are based in our West Kent area (covering Gravesend/Dartford/Sevenoaks/Tonbridge/Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone) phone: 01732 525291

If you are based in our East Kent area (covering Swale/Ashford/Canterbury/Shepway/Thanet) phone: 01233 898825.

If you prefer you can email us (please tell us where your business is based).