Trading Standards – who are we?

Welcome to the Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards.

Trading Standards is part of the Public Protection Division of the Legal, Public Protection and Housing Directorate.

The aim of the Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards is to maintain a fair and safe environment for all who buy goods or services in the county borough.  We aim to provide a first class service by giving advice and support to local communities and businesses, and where necessary, enforcement activities.

The small Trading Standards team also contribute to a number of initiatives and projects that contribute to the Council’s aims and objectives, such as

• Tackling deprivation and inequalities, through advice and targeted work with business
• Promoting lifelong learning for all people, linking into schools, community events and conducting talks for older people
• Improving community safety and reducing crime and disorder through underage sales and investigating other elements of criminality
• Promoting independent living though supporting vulnerable groups and increasing confidence levels to deal with traders

The easiest way to give an idea of some of the things we do is to look at your typical day.

Before you even get up, look around you. Did you know that there are legal minimum safety standards for your mattress, pillows and nightwear (all to do with protection from fire)? Is your electric blanket safe to use after spending the summer in the attic? We arrange testing events to check. Most things you buy have legal safety standards including the soap you use in your shower, the toaster you use for making breakfast, your cooker or anything else you might buy that could cause you any kind of injury.

Getting dressed, youll be too busy thinking about breakfast to worry whether your shirt really is made of cotton. Don't worry, thats our job. All descriptions of goods have to be accurate and in no way misleading, whether youre buying a safety pin or a car.

Breakfast at last. Bacon and eggs with toast? The scales that weighed the bacon or that apple going in your lunch box should have been tested independently by our trained Weights and Measures officers in the last two years, and the prices on the shop shelves will have been checked by us too. But what about the poor old pig? Our Animal Health officers look after animal welfare issues, and enforce controls that allow the movement of every farm animal to be tracked essential if there were another Foot and Mouth outbreak.

Out the door, and off to work. But before you go, think about your house. If its your own, don't forget that while you were buying it you were protected against incorrect information from Estate Agents. If you are renting, everything the landlord provides has to be safe. That new central heating you were thinking about? The gas fitter must be CORGI registered and provide a satisfactory service. Again its our job to make sure that happens.

Going to work by car, strapping the kids into their car seats? We launched and promote the SmartFitter Scheme in partnership with Road Safety and Cardiff Trading Standards to ensure you have access to clear advice and education when you buy a child car seat and that youre taught how to fit it correctly. Petrols a terrible price, but at least you know youre getting the correct measure, as we check all pumps regularly. The car itself is one of the most expensive things youll ever buy, so perhaps you bought it on credit. Its our job to make sure credit advertising is accurate, and that only people with a credit licence offer it. We also do checks on used cars to make sure the mileage hasn't been altered.

We could go on and on about the laws we enforce to make sure you're not ripped off or otherwise disadvantaged.

Thinking of going on holiday? We make sure all local holiday firms have arrangements to get you home if they go out of business.

Do you have children? Apart from safety checks on things like toys and nursery equipment, we regularly check that older children can't buy alcohol, cigarettes, knives and other age related things until they're old enough.

Got a dispute with a trader?

Try our advice line:

Tel: 01446 700111

The list could go on a lot longer medical devices, explosives licensing, hallmarking, counterfeiting. Our job is to protect you, the consumer and the reputable trader in many and varied ways.