Consumer Protection and Investigations (Trading Standards)

This area of the website contains advice and information for consumers such as advice on purchasing or returning goods and information for businesses about legislation and fair trading. There is also advice for farmers, motor trading companies and information about food and product safety.

Not in Cheshire East? You can find details of your local Trading Standards office by using the postcode search at Trading Standards Central.

If you are seeking advice and assistance with a matter you are having or you would like to make a complaint against a company,  please contact Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506 or via the Consumer Direct online complaint form.

Latest News

Buy With Confidence     

Cheshire East Consumer Protection and Investigations are adopting the Buy With Confidence scheme. Buy With Confidence is a scheme which has been put together by a partnership of Local Authority Trading Standards services. The scheme provides consumers with a list of local businesses which have given their commitment to trading fairly. Every business listed has undergone a series of detailed checks before being approved as a member of the scheme. If you would like further information on the scheme please vist the Buy With Confidence website. 

If you are a business in the Cheshire East Borough and you would like to join the scheme, please call 01270 685900 or email businessadviceeast@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Knock Knock 4CE

Cheshire East Consumer Protection and Investigations Officers have been visiting schools across the borough advising young people on the dangers of Rogue Traders. So far we have spoken to 150 young people and provided them with information to take back to their friends and families. You can find more information about it on our Knock Knock 4CE page.

If you are a primary or secondary school and you would like us conduct a talk for your school, please call us on 01270 685900

Primary Authority

Cheshire East Consumer Protection and Investigations will offer Primary Authority relationships to companies based in Cheshire East, where appropriate. To find out more information on the Primary Authority scheme go to the Local Better Regulation Office website.

Buying at Home

Regulations for Cheshire Businesses using 'doorstep' and 'face to face' sales methods. For more information see the New Regulations Section.

Important new Legislation for Cheshire Businesses

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (the CPRs) came into force on 26 May 2008 and implement the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD). The aim of the UCPD is to harmonise consumer protection laws across the European Union to prevent business practices that are unfair to consumers, and all Member States are introducing equivalent legislation. The Regulations replace a lot of consumer protection legislation including Part III of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (which dealt with misleading prices), the majority of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, and the Control of Misleading Advertising Regulations 1988.

Shop a Shark

Consumer Protection and Investigations officers have joined with colleagues in Halton, Warrington and Merseyside to crack down on illegal money-lending, rooting out loan sharks and bringing them to justice.

If you have information to provide, go to the Shop a Shark page.