Free, impartial legal guidance for businesses
The basics
Unsure of the law on trading standards or whether the rules apply to you? Find out how the law sees businesses that sell to consumers
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Concise guidance
Want answers right now? Quick Guides are arranged by what, where and how you sell to help you find the information you need
Quick Guides
Detailed information
Know what you're looking for, or want to browse a list of specific guidance arranged by category? In-depth Guides deliver the detail
In-Depth GuidesBusiness in focus
Holiday parks
Guidance for holiday park owners and operators selling holiday caravans / holiday lodges for private ownership
Read MoreBusiness Companion provides information for businesses and individuals that need to know about trading standards and consumer protection legislation
The site delivers guidance by default for England, but if you are trading in Scotland or Wales, you should choose your location using the drop-down list at the top of the page. This is because some laws apply to just one or two of the countries, while others extend to all three GB countries or the whole of the UK.
For guidance on the law in Northern Ireland, please see nibusinessinfo.co.uk
The guidance is divided up into 15 broad Quick Guides and each one contains a number of more detailed In-depth Guides.
There may be rules you are not aware of, so make sure you explore the site thoroughly.
If you don't know where to begin, or you're a new business, click Get Started above.
New In-depth Guides
Bovine viral diarrhoea (new for England)Environmental ('green') claims
Exporting animals
High fat, sugar or salt (less healthy) foods (England only)
Importing animals
Knives, other bladed items and corrosive substances
Sale of petrol and diesel from forecourts
UKCA / CE marking
Latest news
Selling chemicals responsibly
Certain chemicals can be used in the illicit manufacture of explosives and/or to cause harm. To reduce the risk of harm from these substances, the Poisons Act 1972 sets out the obligations that suppliers have in relation to regulated and reportable substances. More >
OPSS guidance on notifying authorities about unsafe products
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has published Product Safety and Non-compliance Notification Guidance, which is intended to help businesses understand their obligations regarding notifiying authorities about unsafe products. More >
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