Job Description
Trading Standards Officers enforce the law in connection with the way that goods and services are bought, sold, hired and rented. They cover a range of issues including consumer safety, fake goods, misleading labelling, under age sales and animal welfare.
They may visit local traders and businesses to routinely check that they are complying with the law, investigate complaints, check measures and scales are accurate in pubs for example and investigate suspected offences.
Entry Requirements
You can get into this job through:
University
You can become a trading standards officer with any degree subject.
If you get a degree in law or consumer protection you won't need to do some of the professional examinations. Find out more from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Some local authorities may sponsor you for the consumer protection degree. This means that you'll get work experience whilst you study. It could also lead to a job after you graduate.
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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Work
You could start as an enforcement officer with a local authority and apply to join a trading standards training programme. Your employer would support you through training to qualify.
Direct Application
You can apply for work as a trainee trading standards officer with a local authority. You'll then study towards professional qualifications on the job, and work your way up to trading standards officer.
You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths. Some authorities may also want you to have 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.
Career tips
You'll find it useful to have experience of legal, retail or advice work.
You can find out more about working and training in trading standards through the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
You'll need to pass background checks.
Career Path and Progression
With experience, you could become a senior TSO or manager.
You could also move into private consultancy work.
Related careers you may be interested in:
- Consumer scientist
- Customs officer
- Environmental health officer
- Health and safety adviser
- Meat hygiene inspector
Required Skills
- good written and spoken communication skills
- the ability to talk to people from all backgrounds
- good observation skills and attention to detail
- the ability to understand technical and complex data
- a good knowledge of current legislation
- the ability to be assertive when required
- sound judgement and decision making abilities
- able to work on your own initiative
Salary Range
£19,000 to £90,000
