Business advice on consumer law
The business companion website from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, guidance on GOV.UK, weights and measures fees and charges, become a trusted trader.
Business advice on consumer law
If you run a business, or are considering setting up a new business, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute have created a "Business Companion" website which will provide you with detailed advice and guidance.
Business companion
The Business Companion has guidance on the following:
What you sell | Goods Consumers' rights when they buy goods from you, including information on when to offer a refund, repair or replacement | Digital Consumers' rights when you supply digital content - such as a mobile phone app, a computer game or a DVD | Services Consumers' rights when they buy your services - for example, estate agent services or mobile phone contract providers |
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Where you sell | On-premises sales Selling on your business premises - for example, a shop or market stall (or when a contract is not made off-premises or at a distance) | Off-premises sales Selling goods, services and digital content away from your business premises, such as contracts made in the customer's home or workplace | Distance sales The sales of goods, services and digital content without face-to-face contact with the customer - such as online, mail order or by telephone |
How you sell | Consumer contracts How and when a consumer contract is made, and how to be sure your transactions are legal and fair | Good practice Your legal obligation to trade fairly with your customers; the law that protects consumers from unfair trading practices | Pricing & payment The rules that cover displaying prices, unit and sale pricing, and taking payments legally and fairly |
Key topics | Underage sales The age restrictions that apply to the sale of certain products and services, including alcohol, tobacco, blades, solvents and sunbeds | Food & drink What the law says on preparing and selling food and drink, including hygiene, composition, labelling and packing | Product safety If you import, produce or distribute goods, including second-hand, the law states they must be safe for the consumer to use |
Key activities | Animals & agriculture The law on the welfare of livestock, including transport, diseases, animal / pet feed and disposal | Weights & measures The rules on selling goods by weight or measure - quantity, labelling, equipment and inspections | Business information / other General business guidance, and a list of activities you may not expect to be covered by trading standards legislation |
Further guidance
- Detailed business guidance on the sale of goods and services and data protection can be found on the GOV.UK website.
- Detailed business guidance for toy manufacturers can be found on the GOV.UK website.
- Detailed business guidance on product safety legislation (The Blue Guide) can be found on the European Commission website.
Weights and measures fees and charges
For a full list of weighs and measures services and their costs, please visit the Fees and Charges webpage.
Become a Trusted Trader
Renfrewshire Council, in partnership with East Renfrewshire Council, operate a directory of customer rated local businesses. Members agree to abide by a specific code of practice as set out and vetted by Trading Standards.
Both councils will, in turn, promote member businesses to Renfrewshire & East Renfrewshire customers.
Visit our Become a Trusted Trader homepage for more information.