Consultations CtSI HaS ItS SaY Some of the institutes contributions to government policy debate Industrial Strategy Consultation Sanctions to tackle tobacco duty evasion Industrial Strategy Consultation Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, april 2017 CTSI is calling for trading standards to be reformed in light of this green-paper commitment to consider restructuring institutions whose alignment does not reflect government objectives. A wide consensus that trading standards operates better in larger units will be a challenge when balancing localism and national needs. A central government commitment to encouraging and supporting services in coming together would be an important step forward. Trading standards plays a significant role in regulatory support to business, and should be considered an important part of encouraging firms to grow and export. But its role is not currently consistent or sustainable, because of resource constraints and the position of services within the system. CTSI believes enforcement of consumer-protection law via more than 190 UK trading standards services, dealing with 263 statutory duties in diverse policy areas ensures a fair and level playing field for businesses, where consumer confidence is maintained. Despite the excellent work by many trading standards services, in challenging circumstances, there is ample evidence that its enforcement and business-support successes are not consistent across the country. Downward trends in staff, training and resources call into question the long-term sustainability of a well-trained service. Enforcement and market surveillance are only as strong as the weakest service criminals are known to operate in areas with weaker protection. So if trading standards role in enforcement and regulatory support is to be available as a lever in this long-term industrial strategy, CTSI believes it should be one of the government institutions that the strategy reforms, to reflect the outcomes demanded. Offering businesses the ability to trade in a fair marketplace and to gain support from regulators to overcome any barriers that regulation may throw up should make an important contribution to the industrial strategy, by assisting growth, encouraging exports and supporting specific sectors. Response compiled by: CTSIs policy team For more details and to contribute to consultations such as these, visit www.tradingstandards.uk Credits Images: iStock.com/Dmitrii_Guzhanin To share this page, in the toolbar click on You might also like CTSI has its say May 2017 Sanctions to tackle tobacco-duty and other excise-duty evasion HM Revenue & Customs, May 2017 Tackling the supply of illicit tobacco remains a priority area for tradingstandards, but concern has been raised about using trading standards offences for such criminal activity. Using labelling offencestotackle illicit white-tobacco supply can be seen particularly in court as a technical offence, not conveying the seriousness of the criminal activity. CTSI has responded to this documents questions in as much detail as possible, hoping there is scope for further discussion later. However, the institute wants to raise the matter of potential use, by trading standards, of offences under the Tobacco Products Duty Act (TPDA) and the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA). A review of the previous HM Revenue and Customs decision to remove the authority of trading standards to use this legislation would be welcome. A clear and simple authorisation process to use the TPDA or CEMA in appropriate cases would enhance the outcome of prosecutions taken by trading standards services. In respect of the effectiveness of increasing financial penalties to deter repeat offending at a wholesale/distribution level, continued trading in illicit product would quickly offset any financial penalty. At a retail level, though, individuals selling products from their own premises are more likely to be affected by this form of sanction, as recovering the cost of financial penalties will take substantially longer. In recent years, stock levels on retail premises that are potentially subject to inspection and subsequent seizure have dropped dramatically. However, frequent, rapid restocking of retail outlets indicate that product storage has been moved offsite, or wholesalers have strengthened their supply chain and ability to service clients. Such a financial sanction may be more effective in Border Force intercepts from individuals at entry points into the UK, where loss ofundeclared products plus a wrongdoing penalty may prevent repeat offending. Response compiled by: CTSIs National Tobacco Focus Group For more details and to contribute to consultations such as these, visit www.tradingstandards.uk