About Us

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About Us

We are the Trading Standards & Consumer Protection Unit of the Environmental & Commercial Standards Section of the Housing and Public Protection Division the London Borough of Newham.

Contacting Us

We are happy to accept complaints and enquiries by telephone, fax, post, email or from personal callers.

You can also make complaint or enquiry online, please go to http://www.consumercomplaints.org.uk.  

By Telephone

You may contact us by telephone between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday on 020 8430 3869.

When contacting us by telephone please ensure that you have all the relevant information and documents to hand.

By Fax

At anytime to 020 8478 1443.

By Email

At anytime to trading.standards@newham.gov.uk.

Please include a contact telephone number and address in emails.

By Post

Our address is:-

By Personal Visit

Please telephone for an appointment if you wish to talk to one of our officers in person.

Priorities 05/06

Awaiting publication.

Performance 04/05

Awaiting publication.

Consultation

We would like to hear your opinions on the operation of our service and any ideas you may have for changes or improvements. Please use the confidential response form.

Satisfied with our Service?

If you have a complaint concerning the service provided by Trading Standards then please contact Ray Sweeting the Service Unit Manager for Trading Standards on 020 8430 3869. In the unlikely event we are still unable to resolve matters you will be advised on what further steps to take.

Speak Out

Please tell us your views on our services. Complete our confidential response form.

What We Do

The Trading Standards Service is responsible for enforcing a wide range of consumer legislation. The main areas we deal with are as follows:

Weights and Measures - the legislation aims to ensure that all goods sold by weight, volume, length or area are accurately measured.

Product Safety - the the Consumer Protection Act aims to ensure that all goods sold to the public are safe. There are specific safety regulations covering toys, cosmetics, electrical appliances, furniture and many other consumer products.

Age restricted products - several pieces of legislation aim to restrict the availability of dangerous products to children. Products covered include cigarettes and tobacco, alcoholic drinks, fireworks, knives and solvents.

False or misleading descriptions of goods and services - the Trade Descriptions Act is designed to ensure that goods are accurately described when they are offered for sale. The Act that deals with false statements about services and controls among other things holiday brochure claims and statements such as CORGI registered.

Misleading price indications - part III of the Consumer Protection Act makes it an offence for a trader to give consumers price indications which are misleading, or to make price comparisons which are not genuine, fair and meaningful.

Price marking - in general, traders must display the price of all goods which they offer for sale. Also, large shops must show the unit price for goods which are pre-packed in fixed quantities.

Hallmarking of precious metals - most gold, silver and platinum jewellery must be hallmarked by one of the Assay offices.

Credit transactions - the credit industry is regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Traders who offer credit to consumers must hold a valid consumer credit licence. Traders who advertise credit must comply with the appropriate regulations. The legislation aims to ensure truth in lending.

Estate agency and the misdescription of property - the Estate Agents Act 1979 aims to ensure that estate agents act in the best interests of their clients, and that both buyers and sellers are treated honestly, fairly and promptly.

Video recordings - this legislation regulates the video industry. Its principal aim is to ensure that only classified films are offered for sale or rent, and that children are not able to rent or buy films which have an adult classification.

Counterfeit goods - the Trading Standards Service is responsible for the enforcement of the Trade Marks Act, which makes the unauthorised use of trade marks illegal.

Timeshare transactions and package travel - the Timeshare Act controls the sale of timeshare, and is part of an EU-wide crackdown on fraud in the timeshare industry. Package travel regulations are designed to protect consumers in the event of holiday companies going bust. They also help to ensure that people buying package holidays are given detailed information about the holiday they are purchasing.

Businesses who persistently trade unfairly - we can now apply to the court for an injunction to quickly stop unfair trading practices.

We investigate complaints about illegal trading practices under these and other trading standards laws. We also respond to enquiries and requests for information and assistance from both traders and members of the public on a wide range of trading standards issues.

If you wish to make a complaint or enquiry in relation to any of these matters please go to http://www.consumercomplaints.org.uk.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about the work of Trading Standards in general please contact us at Newham or visit the TSI website at http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/newham/