Trading Standards Service

Today at Bradford Crown Court Illicit Tobacco dealer Sentenced

The Role of West Yorkshire Trading Standards

We 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). Our partners at the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline will offer you initial advice and as your local Trading Standards service, we then receive details of all complaints made by West Yorkshire residents and businesses.

Following the National Trading Standards Board Intelligence Operating Model, we will then look to address the issues that cause the highest levels of detriment to consumers and businesses. In deciding which cases to investigate, we 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, we have a number of guides available on a wide variety of topics, including vehicle purchase and repair. For more information please visit our 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 our inspections we offer advice on how to comply with legislation and best practice tips. In addition, businesses can request advice from us at any time.

To aid regulatory compliance we 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 we can help you fulfil statutory requirements and raise standards, please visit our Services to Business section. 

Scam Prevention and Financial Investigation

One of our 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. We 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.