Fair Trading

The Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service works to ensure a fair trading environment both for consumers and businesses. Some complaints that we receive are investigated in accordance with our Enforcement Policy.


Fair Trading is a substantially large area of Trading Standards work and it is broken down into the following subject headings to make it easier to find information about an area you are looking for.

We check the accuracy of statements made by traders which could mislead consumers into buying goods and services which they otherwise wouldn’t have purchased. We do this through responding to consumer complaints, receiving intelligence, routine inspections and project work. The relevant legislation that covers this area is the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

Similar legislation exists to protect business to business dealings through The Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 This only applies to one business transacting with another.

We advise businesses on their duty to give a cancellation notice to consumers when contracts are entered into in their home or place of work, whether solicited or not. This work must not commence within the 7 day ‘cooling off’ period, unless expressly requested in writing by the consumer.

We place special emphasis on disrupting rogue traders who visit the homes of vulnerable consumers, encouraging them to enter into mainly home improvement contracts on the doorstep.

We ensure that all goods sold at retail have a price indication and that offers are genuine and not misleading.

Related Links for further information:

Trade in Counterfeit goods has a major effect on commercial and economic stability. We enforce legislation which protects the Intellectual Property rights of legitimate businesses. Intellectual Property covers Trade Marks, Copyright, Designs & Patents and Fraud.

The UK Intellectual Property Office gives advice on how to protect you Intellectual Property. Click here to view their website.

If you believe that someone is selling a counterfeit product, please report it to us.

When commercial activity takes place by distance means, e.g. telephone, mail order and the internet, certain information must be given to consumers. This includes their right to cancel the contract within 7 days. Terms and conditions must also be displayed.

Related Links for further information:

Beginners Guide to the E-Commerce Regulations 2002

We enforce the Hallmarking Act 1973 which requires most goods made with precious metals to be genuinely Hallmarked and that sellers of such goods to display a notice detailing the marks on trade premises.


Related Links for further information:

The Assay Office

The British Hallmarking Council

We enforce and advise on legislation that governs Estate Agents, namely under the Estate Agents Act 1979 and the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 that ensures properties are fairly marketed. We also have a duty to advise and enforce the Energy Performance Certificates Regulations where necessary. It is also a requirement that an Estate Agent belongs to an approved redress scheme.

Trading Standards EPC Advice Leaflet

Department for Communities and Local Government EPC Guide 2013

There are specific requirements for certain information to be given to consumers. Money taken by providers of holiday packages must be secured and protected from insolvency.

Related Links for further information:

BIS Guidance – What is a Package Holiday?

BIS Guidance – Questions & Answers on the Package Travel Regulations for Organisers and Retailers

The Trading Standards Service has recently received this important message from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has re-iterated its warning to businesses to register use of CCTV equipment at their premises following prosecution of a bar owner who failed to do so.

A Lancashire bar owner was recently prosecuted by the ICO for failing to register his premises' use of CCTV despite several reminder letters from the ICO. The operator was fined £100 and ordered to pay £250 prosecution costs by Blackpool Magistrates along with an additional £15 victim surcharge.

Licensee should be aware that under the Data Protection Act notification is a legal requirement for organisations processing and collecting CCTV images. Therefore it is important that businesses who operate CCTV equipment notify the ICO, as failure to notify is a criminal offence.

More information on the requirement to notify the ICO can be found on the ICO website www.ico.gov.uk.