Whats the difference between Consumer Direct and Trading Standards?

hollydays

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medman

Trading Standards is the local authority trading law enforcement department, and Consumer Direct is the Government web based equivalent. A bit like NHS and NHS Direct

If you want action against a trader then Trading Standards will do it, if you want advice and info then Consumer Direct is a good starting point.
hope this helps

MM

gyzmo

Trading Standards are an enforcement agency. Strictly speaking, Trading Standards Officers do not have an official role (though a couple of pieces of legislation do make reference to them) - it is merely a job title. They are merely emlpoyees of a local authority which is responsible for enforcing certain legislation.

Consumer direct has an advisory function. The idea is that a consumer will firstly speak to Consumer Direct, who can offer help and advice on what action to take. If it is serious, or problems persist, then Consumer Direct will refer the problem to Trading Standards to take up teh case. This relieves th burden on Trading Standards of having to deal with thousands of small problems each day, and allows them to concentrate on the larger problems.

In short (and very widely), Trading Standards enforce consumer legislation, Consumer Direct offer advice and guidance.