How we enforce

Trading Standards Service is committed to achieving consistent, balanced and fair enforcement of trading standards and consumer protection legislation. In coming to enforcement decisions, officers will carefully consider all relevant facts and circumstances.

The possible enforcement actions which an authorised officer can employ are as follows.

Informal actions

  • No action required  
  • Oral advice  
  • Advisory letter

Formal actions

  • Written warning
  • Statutory notice
  • Apply to the Sheriff Court for an emergency prohibition order
  • Exercise powers to enter premises and to inspect and seize goods, equipment and documents  
  • Formal warning letter
  • Report to another enforcement agency
  • Seek an undertaking under the Enterprise Act
  • Prepare interdict action under the Enterprise Act
  • Report to the Procurator Fiscal for consideration of prosecution

 

 

Our full enforcement policy can be found here  Enforcement Policy (PDF, 194 kB)