Date: 2008-08-13
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New laws are helping Leicestershire County Council to check up on businesses which are falsely displaying a trade body logo or claiming they have council approval. Trading Standards officers can now tackle a variety of unfair trading practices thanks to the new consumer protection laws.
(Media-Newswire.com) - New laws are helping Leicestershire County Council to check up on businesses which are falsely displaying a trade body logo or claiming they have council approval.
Trading Standards officers can now tackle a variety of unfair trading practices thanks to the new consumer protection laws.
More than 300 adverts checked by officers revealed that more than five per cent were either falsely claiming trade association membership or that their business had council approval.
Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards is urging consumers to let them know if they have come across a business, or know of anyone, making false claims in their adverts.
David Bull, Head of Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards, said: “The newly updated Rip Off Tip Off website allows information to be reported confidentially and anonymously. We are taking enforcement action against those businesses found to be displaying false information. People should always contact the trade association and check if the business is a member and ask what they do for consumers.”
For more information, visit www.ripofftipoff.net or call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Contacts:
Paul Davis Team Leader 0116 305 6534
Notes to Editor
The consumer protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 came into force on 26th May 2008.
Various pieces of consumer protection legislation haveshas been repealed as a result of the new Regulations, including the majority of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.
The new Regulations provide 31 Trading practices which are banned.
There are offences relating toof practices involving misleading Acts, misleading omissions and aggressive sales.
There is also a duty not to trade unfairly.
There is a maximum fine of £5000 for summary convictions.
A conviction on indictment will lead to a fine or a prison sentence not exceeding two years.