Trading Standards
Durham County Council Trading Standards provides advice to County Durham businesses on all areas of trading standards legislation, including weights and measures, food labelling, safety and credit. Through impartial advice and consistent enforcement, we ensure that honest traders are not placed at a commercial disadvantage.
Advice for Consumers
Durham County Council Trading Standards provides advice to residents of County Durham on all areas of trading standards legislation, including consumer advice, complaints and safety, debt and money, dealing with doorstep sales persons and your rights regarding with faulty goods.
Animal Health and Welfare
The Animal Health Section of Durham County Council Trading Standards service deals with enquires about farm animal movement and other farm animal welfare enquires.
Charges for Trading Standards
Find out about the costs involved when a visit is made by a Trading Standards Officer to premises, for the purpose of carrying out functions or activities related to their role.
Counterfeit Goods
Trading Standards is responsible for enforcing much of the criminal legislation concerning counterfeiting. Over the years we have brought many successful prosecutions against those selling counterfeit goods in the County and seized hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of illegal goods.
County Durham Registered Trader Scheme
Get information on the County Durham Registered Trader Scheme, introduced to help people choose reputable trades people to carry out repairs or other services to their home. The Registered Trader Scheme website enables consumers to access the full list of traders or search for a particular trader in your area.
Description of Goods
Durham County Council Trading Standards is able to help consumers who think they may have been misled by a false trade description and traders who require advice on 'trade descriptions' legislation.
Fair Trading
Durham County Council Trading Standards helps to ensure a fair, safe and equitable trading environment for consumers and businesses in County Durham.
Food Hygiene
Our team of experienced scientists regularly test food and drinks for composition, quality, spoilage, additives and contaminants. We also monitor and advise on food labelling and provided independent, expert, scientific backup to enforcement specialists in Environmental Health and Trading Standards.
Hallmarking
Trading Standards has the main responsibility for enforcing the Hallmarking Act 1973 which controls the selling of items described as gold, silver or platinum.
History of Trading Standards
From the 1960s onwards, legislation was passed concerning consumer safety and consumer protection. Read more about the history of trading standards and how associated acts of parliament continue to be administered.
Legislation
A full list of legislation enforced by Durham County Council Trading Standards is a available with a brief summary of the legislation requirements included for reference.
Licences
Many activities require licences, some of which are issued by the County Council. Trading Standards can provide advice to help you comply with the relevant legislation.
Metrology Laboratories
Durham County Council Trading Standards offer comprehensive calibration and testing facilities. Our independent laboratory provides a quality, confidential, service designed to meet current trading needs which enable you to compete in the marketplace.
Misleading Adverts
Trading Standards shares the responsibility with other agencies for enforcement and advice about misleading advertising.
Petroleum Filling Stations
Trading Standards assist in the regulation of consumer legislation about Petrol Stations. Officers are responsible for checking garages to ensure that the right amount of fuel is given from the pumps.
Trading Standards Surveys
Durham County Council Trading Standards continually audit and review their performance; see details of the surveys and consultations used in this process.
Weights and Measures
Standard weights and length measures have been produced and maintained to provide accurate standards against which copies can be assessed.
