The Trade Descriptions Act 1968

Under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, the law requires that any descriptions of goods and services, given by a person acting in the course of a trade or business, should be accurate and not misleading.

The Act makes it an offence to:

  • Apply a false or misleading description to goods (e.g. by writing it down, making a verbal statement or by turning back a cars odometer); or
  • Supply or offer to supply goods to which a false or misleading trade description is applied. A person exposing goods for supply (e.g. in a shop) or having them in his possession for supply (e.g. in a storeroom) is deemed to offer to supply them for the purposes of the Act.

These offences are strict liability offences, i.e. it is possible for a trader to commit an offence without intending to do so.

Advice to consumers

Due to the ever increasing range of goods and services on offer—and the amount of legislation that covers them—life can be complicated for both consumers and traders.

Advice and support for consumers in Bedfordshire is now provided by Consumer Direct. 

Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, which is supported by local authorities in the east of England and by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Tel: 08454 04 05 06 (Minicom users should call on 08451 28 13 84)
Email:Contact Consumer Direct by emai

Contact

For more information or advice about the description of goods/services, please contact Bedfordshire Trading Standards on the details below or visit their website.

Bedfordshire Trading Standards,
Bedfordshire County Council,
County Hall,
Cauldwell Street,
Bedford MK42 9AP

Telephone: 01234 228897
Fax: 01234 228255
Email:  business@bedscc.gov.uk

reviewed 09 April 2008