The Role of West Yorkshire Trading Standards
They work with consumers to prevent them from becoming victims, with businesses to help them comply with good practice and with partners to put funds back into communities. For a full list of all the legislation that is enforced by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service click here
Investigation of consumer complaints
If you are a consumer or business in West Yorkshire and have a complaint about a company that provides goods and/or services, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline (for contact details click here). West Yorkshire Trading Standards’ partners at the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline will offer you initial advice and as your local Trading Standards service, West Yorkshire Trading Standards then receive details of all complaints made by West Yorkshire residents and businesses.
Following the National Trading Standards Board Intelligence Operating Model, West Yorkshire Trading Standards will then look to address the issues that cause the highest levels of detriment to consumers and businesses. In deciding which cases to investigate, they also take into consideration:
- The amount of money involved and the number of consumers or businesses affected by the practice;
- The vulnerability of the consumers targeted;
- The level of risk to safety, public health and wellbeing;
- The previous history of the business in question.
To help consumers across West Yorkshire purchase with confidence, West Yorkshire Trading Standards have a number of guides available on a wide variety of topics, including vehicle purchase and repair. For more information please visit their Consumer Advice section.
Market surveillance and advice to business
Part of what we do at West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is to carry out routine, risk based inspections at businesses based in the region. As part of their inspections they offer advice on how to comply with legislation and best practice tips. In addition, businesses can request advice from them at any time.
To aid regulatory compliance West Yorkshire Trading Standards offer a variety of services to businesses, including training and partnerships under the Primary Authority scheme. If you are a business and would like to find out more about how they can help you fulfil statutory requirements and raise standards, please visit their Services to Business section.
Scam Prevention and Financial Investigation
One of West Yorkshire Trading Standards’ key priorities is to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of residents across West Yorkshire by ensuring safe neighbourhoods and promoting more empowered communities. They undertake this work by taking the lead on the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team (WYFEAT). Find out more by visiting the WYFEAT section of their website.
