Trade Descriptions Act

The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 makes it an offence for a trader to apply, by any means, false or misleading statements, or to knowingly or recklessly make such statements about services.

The Act carries criminal penalties and is enforced by local authorities' Trading Standards Officers.

This Act makes it an offence if the trader:

Applies a false trade description to any goods

Supplies or offers to supply any goods to which a false trade description is applied

Makes certain kinds of false statement about the provision of any services, accommodation or facilities

Who can help

For individual advice, you'll need to contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or see their website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk.

The Department of Trade and Industry provides the facts on consumer rights at www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/index.html

You can speak to a Personal Adviser at your local Connexions Centre. To find your local centre click on the Local Services icon in the footer of the homepage or check out your local phone book.

You can contact a Connexions Direct Adviser by phone on 080 800 13 2 19, by text on 07766 4 13 2 19, by textphone 08000 968 336, by adviser online or by email.