Do you Pass? – Trading standards can help

The laws surrounding the sale of age-restricted goods are outlined in a course being offered, free of charge, to local businesses by Croydon’s trading standards department.

The “Fair Trading Award do you Pass?” accredited training course informs traders on what the law expects of them and their staff, explains what checks can be used to ensure a customer is old enough to make certain purchases, and offers advice on the best ways to refuse a sale.

Age-restricted products include tobacco, alcohol and knives, and their sale to under-18s can lead to prosecution and heavy financial penalties. A recent prosecution resulted in fines and costs totalling almost £7,000 for a local trader who sold a £1 craft knife to a young person.

The course encourages discussion between delegates on the issues they face when selling such products. Successful candidates are presented with the Fair Trading Award certificate.

Attendees are provided with an information pack containing everything they need to ensure their business is protected. For more information, visit www.tradingstandards.uk/events/doyouPASS.cfm

Croydon’s trading standards department will be hosting eight courses across four days, each with 15 spaces. The next sessions are on the following dates.

•        Friday 1 April – 10am to 12.45pm; 1.15 to 4pm.

•        Thursday 21 July – 10am to 12.45pm; 1.15 to 4pm.

•        Thursday 27 October – 10am to 12.45pm; 1.15 to 4pm.

•        Wednesday 25 January 2017 – 10am to 12.45pm; 1.15 to 4pm.

As indicated, each session runs for approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, and includes a 30-minute multiple-choice exam. These courses are offered free of charge and are available only to small or medium-sized Croydon-based businesses.

Unique to Croydon, the sessions will also feature a short presentation from Public Health Croydon entitled “Protecting children and young people – everyone’s business”.

Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice

“The council’s trading standards department has done a great job in engaging with the borough’s traders and making them aware of their responsibilities.

“To date, more than 300 have attended the ‘do you Pass?’ courses, making Croydon one of the top three local authorities in the UK for delivering this training.

“For traders, it’s a win-win situation; they learn the law, how to deal with situations, they get a certificate – and it’s free. I’d urge any who have yet to take the course, to sign up as soon as possible.”

Booking enquiries can be made by calling 020 8407 1311. Please be aware spaces are limited.

All sessions will be held in Bernard Weatherill House, Croydon Council’s headquarters building, adjacent to the Town Hall. Enter via the Corporate Reception entrance in Fell Road.

2016-02-09T09:45:23+00:00 February 9th, 2016|Recent news|