Advice

The Council is committed to reduce crime, including consumer crime and promote the local economy.

BUT, not everything that is wrong is illegal, Trading Standards only enforces the law, and we don't make the law, that is the job of your MP and Parliament. In addition the law in this country falls into two categories - Civil and Criminal.

Civil means you, the individual, have to exercise and pursue your rights.

Criminal means Trading Standards will investigate and if necessary prosecute the offender and attempt to get you compensation.

It is not a criminal offence to do a bad job, sell something that goes wrong fails to deliver furniture on time etc. All those sort of problems contravene CIVIL LAW.

In those instances Trading Standards will help and advise you how to resolve the issue. We will try to mediate if your efforts fail.

But if a trader LIES to you about something you have paid for they may have broken the law and Trading Standards will need all your receipts and paperwork to pursue their enquiries.

Remember prevention is always better than cure and cheaper for all concerned.

We can't reverse what has happened but we will endeavour to keep you informed of our progress and investigations.

We also have many helpful advice leaflets about shopping, house repairs and buying 2nd hand cars etc. Because, it is not a criminal offence to sell you shoddy goods or carry out shoddy work. So if something breaks down soon after you've bought it or the plumber does a bodged job, that sort of malpractice is called a breach of civil law. That means it is a dispute between you and the trader that ultimately may mean you suing in the County Court.

Leaflets are available at local libraries or by contacting Waltham Forest Trading Standards direct

Fair trading

We deal with complaints about false or misleading description of goods or services. We are particularly interested in any claims made about the usefulness of products for disabled people. We keep a check on the practices of credit companies and moneylenders.

More information on Fair Trading

Quality services

We deal with complaints about pricing and act if traders display misleading information, and check for overweight vehicles which can cause damage to roads.

Safety

We check to make sure that unsafe goods are not being made or sold in, or imported into the Borough. We run safety campaigns to make sure local people know about potentially dangerous items, such as toys or cosmetics. We make sure that children are not put at risk, by monitoring fireworks sales and the illegal sale of cigarettes.

Contact us for information on:

  • Counterfeiting
  • Hallmarking
  • Pricing
  • Products and system audit
  • Water meters
  • Calibration services

Contact us

Waltham Forest Trading Standards
Environment and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest Road
Walthamstow  E17 4JF

Email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
Tel 020 8496 3000