Newport City Council’s Trading Standards service enforces a wide range of consumer protection and fair trading laws controlling the advertising, marketing, production, distribution and supply of goods and services throughout the manufacturing, importation, distribution and service delivery chain.

Watch Newport Trading Standards in action on our short YouTube Trading Standards film (opens new website)

What do we do?

Descriptions

We check that descriptions on packaging and in adverts do not mislead about what you are getting (including the right quality) or about what you are asked to pay.

Food

We check that food is not being sold past its "use by" date and that legal limits as to what can, or cannot, go into foods are met.

Safety

People who supply consumer goods have a responsibility to ensure that they can be used safely for their intended purpose.

We check that any goods, including toys, electrical goods, cosmetics, cars etc, new or second hand, are safe to use.

Consumer Credit Act

The Consumer Credit Act is a complex piece of legislation controlling terms in consumer contracts and how interest rates are displayed in adverts.

We advise traders on what is permissible, as contravening the Act can result in a business having its credit licence revoked.

Read about and apply for a consumer credit licence (opens new website) on the website of the Office of Fair Trading.

We also investigate complaints that contract terms may be unfair.

Age restrictions

We check that age-restricted goods such as alcohol, 18 certificate DVDs, fireworks, tobacco, solvents, knives and spray paints are not sold to youngsters.

Pricing

We check that goods and services are properly priced e.g. loose food stuffs should have the price per kilo displayed.

Measuring

We are responsible for making sure that all weighing and measuring equipment used for trade is accurate, including beer glasses, weighbridges, supermarket scales or petrol pumps.

Counterfeit

We look out for goods that are counterfeit, i.e. with unauthorised trade marks.

Fireworks

We licence premises wishing to store and sell fireworks and work with Gwent Police and the Fire Service to tackle the problem of fire work misuse…

South East Wales TrustMark Scheme

TrustMark is a scheme supported by the government, consumer groups and the building industry to help consumers find reputable firms to do repair, maintenance and improvement work in and around their home.

Read informing consumers and informing traders about the Trustmark scheme.

For further information visit the Trading Standards South East Wales TrustMark website (opens new website)

Advice

Contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or (Welsh speakers telephone 08454 04 05 05) or via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service for advice about goods or services purchased or that you are thinking of buying.

Contact the Trading Standards service if you want to complain about an unfair business practice or wrong doing.

We also advise local businesses on the many fair trading laws with which they need to comply.

Trading Standards Service

Newport City Council
Telford Depot
Telford Street
Newport NP19 0ES
Telephone: (01633) 656656

Email: info@newport.gov.uk

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