Trading Standards Useful Links

Consumer Direct Wales

Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry. They provide clear, practical, impartial advice to help you sort out problems and disagreements you may be having with suppliers of goods or services.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) works for the essentials of life - food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. Our remit is the pursuit of sustainable development - weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns.

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)

The Department brings together functions from the former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), including responsibilities for productivity, business relations, energy, competition and consumers, with the Better Regulation Executive (BRE), previously part of the Cabinet Office.

Direct Marketing Association (DMA)

The Direct Marketing Association UK is Europe's largest trade association in the marketing and communications sector. The DMA was formed in 1992, following the merger of various like-minded trade bodies, forming a single voice to protect the direct marketing industry from legislative threats and promote its development.

energywatch

energywatch is the independent watchdog for gas and electricity consumers. We provide free, impartial advice on a range of energy issues. We also take-up complaints on behalf of consumers who are experiencing difficulty in resolving problems directly with their energy suppliers.

European Union

EUROPA is the portal site of the European Union. It provides up-to-date coverage of European Union affairs and essential information on European integration. Users can also consult all legislation currently in force or under discussion, access the websites of each of the EU institutions and find out about the policies administered by the European Union under the powers devolved to it by the Treaties.

Financial Ombudsman Service

The Financial Ombudsman Service provides consumers with a free, independent service for resolving disputes with financial firms.

Food Standards Agency

The Food Standards Agency is an independent food safety watchdog set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food.

Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS)

ICSTIS, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services, is the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services. We are non-profit making and consist of nine part-time Committee members, supported by a full time Secretariat. We regulate the content and promotion of services through our Code of Practice. We investigate complaints and have the power to fine companies and bar access to services. In addition, we offer free copy advice and guidance to both existing and new service providers.

Mailing & Telephone Preference Service

The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is a free service set up 20 years ago and funded by the direct mail industry to enable consumers to have their names and home addresses in the UK removed from or added to lists used by the industry. It is actively supported by the Royal Mail and all directly involved trade associations and fully supported by the Office of the Information Commissioner.

National Consumer Council (NCC)

The National Consumer Council (NCC) makes a practical difference to the lives of consumers around the UK, using its insight into consumer needs to advocate change. We work with public service providers, businesses and regulators, and our relationship with the Department of Trade and Industry - our main funder - gives us a strong connection within government. We conduct rigorous research and policy analysis to investigate key consumer issues, and use this to influence organisations and people that make change happen.

Office of Communications (OFCOM)

Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

Office of Fair Trading (OFT)

The OFT is responsible for making markets work well for consumers. We achieve this by promoting and protecting consumer interests throughout the UK, while ensuring that businesses are fair and competitive.

Trading Standards Institute

This site provides a wealth of information for consumers and businesses, schools, advice and information centres, community organisations, local councils, business support agencies and trade associations.

Welsh Assembly

The Assembly decides on its priorities and allocates the funds made available to it from the Treasury. Within its powers, the Assembly develops policy and approves legislation which reflects the needs of the people of Wales. Decisions about these issues are made by politicians who are accountable, through the ballot box, to voters in Wales.

Welsh Consumer Council

The Welsh Consumer Council is the national consumer body for Wales. It works to represent the interests of domestic buyers and users of goods and services in Wales. The council carries out research on behalf of consumers . It uses publications, conferences, lobbying, television, radio, the press and all other appropriate means to highlight and represent the needs and interests of consumers in Wales to industry, government and local authorities.

Wrexham County Borough Council is not responsible for the content of external sites.