Who are Trading Standards and what do we do?
Trading Standards help to protect the rights of consumers in East Sussex – whether you live here or have bought goods and services from businesses based in the county.
We offer free advice to consumers and businesses as well as investigating offences and prosecuting offenders.
We will handle complaints against companies or businesses trading in East Sussex (excluding Brighton & Hove). We also handle consumer complaints made by residents of East Sussex.
Making a complaint
If you need to make a complaint, please:
- provide all the relevant details and documents
- be prepared to provide statements about what has happened
- if necessary, be prepared to attend court as a witness on the County Council's behalf.
We aim to provide an initial response within five working days. Where a detailed response is needed, it will be given within 10 working days.
See also Complaints and legal advice.
Contact us
Contact details for East Sussex Trading Standards.
Our responsibilities
Some of the areas we are responsible for include:
- description and safety of consumer goods
- estate agents' property descriptions
- credit and loans
- food labelling and descriptions
- pricing
- ensuring weights and measures equipment is correct.
We are able to:
- advise you about your legal rights when buying goods or services
- guide you in pursuing a complaint yourself
- identify sources of information and help
- help you prepare for court in certain circumstances
- mediate with a trader on your behalf, when appropriate.
We are not able to:
- demand refunds, replacements or apologies from traders or close them down
- take court action on your behalf
- pursue an unjustifiable complaint
- divulge trader information.
Further information about Trading Standards
The following information leaflets contain more information about Trading Standards:
- "The facts" Trading Standards
- "Charter for consumers"
- "Legislation enforced by the Trading Standards service".
They can be downloaded from our page further information for consumers.
East Sussex Trading Standards holds the Investor in People Award and the Quality Mark of the Community Legal Services Commission. The service is also independently accredited by the British Standards Institute to the International Quality Standard BS EN ISO 9001.
