Trading Standards Service

What we do

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We visit traders to check that weighing and measuring equipment is accurate and that goods are priced and weighed correctly.
We check the accuracy of advertisements for goods and services.
We check that traders who sell fireworks or offer credit, are licensed to do so.
We make roadside spot-checks on the weight of goods vehicles to improve road safety and reduce the risk of damage to road surfaces.
We inspect and test goods offered for sale to check that they comply with safety requirements.
We undertake special investigations into serious breaches of criminal legislation such as car fraud, doorstep crime and counterfeiting.

Consumer Advice and information
Most Consumer advice and information in Bexley is now provided by Consumer Direct London. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, which is supported by local authorities in London, and by the Office of Fair Trading.

If you are not a Bexley resident or trader you can find details of your local Council's Trading Standards Service at Trading Standards Central a website operated by the Trading Standards Institute.

Service Delivery Plan

The Service Delivery Plan for Bexley Trading Standards Service for 2005/2006 (PDF file, 439kB) sets out an ambitious and challenging agenda for the service. The plan follows national guidelines and includes:

Corporate and service policies/links,
Strategic service targets,
Campaign led initiatives,
Provision of an Efficient and Improving Trading Standards Service.

The strategic service targets are key measures and deal with levels of trade premise inspections and service response times. These are clear targets for 2004/2005.

The campaign led in initiatives are in many cases long-term objectives and will continue into future plans. These have mainly been introduced as a result of intelligence gained through various sources such as consumer and resident surveys, service complaint analysis and regional/national priorities. Additional sources of information include the Consumer Support Network (CSN) and the Economic Development Unit (EDU).

The campaigns build on the partnership working already undertaken with various organisations, including the Police and Customs and Excise. The Police will continue to play an important role in service campaigns particularly those involving underage sales, counterfeiting and doorstep selling and it is hoped to build on this in the future.

Download the Service Delivery Plan here (PDF file, 439kB)