Most consumer protection legislation is enforced by the Trading Standards department of local authorities. Each council will maintain an investigations and enforcement policy in accordance with The Regulator’s Code. The Code applies to all non-economic regulators, including local authorities. See Practice Note: The Regulators' Code which explains the key principles of the Regulators’ Code which all relevant regulators should apply when developing, monitoring and enforcing regulatory functions within their remit.
Under section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972 (LGA 1972), where a local authority considers that it is expedient for the protection or promotion of the interests of the inhabitants of its area, it may commence a prosecution against suspected offenders.
Trading Standards teams investigate a wide range of offences which affect consumers in their borough which may include:
property misdescription
labelling
weights and measures
distance selling
age restricted sales
consumer protection
trademark and counterfeiting offences
Practice Note: Trading Standards' investigations explains when and how Trading Standards teams will investigate breaches of consumer protection law. It includes information on enforcement policies and the powers available
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