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Charlotte: Enforcement Officer
I spend my working life making sure that people abide by the law when they are trading – if they don’t I can pass the matter over to my senior colleagues who may prosecute in the courts if no resolution is found.
But it’s not a heavy-handed role. I’m no bully! Of course, from time to time, I do have to deal with irate business people, from market traders to company directors. All I can do is be as firm and objective as possible and stick to what civil and criminal law stipulates.
The variety of the job keeps you on your toes. I must admit though that I was surprised to find that I also had responsibility for animal health and the safety of sports grounds! Still, the challenge is one of the things I like about the job.
The fact that I took a degree in applied science and consumer law was a great basis for the work I have to do. There’s the theory of law and the practice of science: a great combination.
The degree is an excellent route into the profession as it allows you to get a foot in the door and it keeps your options open. There are many other jobs you could go into besides trading standards in local authorities – for example you might choose to work in the private sector, perhaps as a consultant.
The only downside is possibly the paperwork – but the variety and challenge more than make up for that. For someone like me who wants an interesting and unstuffy job this is a great choice of career.
Back to real deal |
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08:30 |
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Office – check emails for reply from complainant re faulty doughnut
maker. |
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09:30 |
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Prepare for visit to local business – handmade teddy bears for sale
over internet. Check traders’ website for terms and conditions,
ensure comply with distance selling regulations and toy safety. |
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10:30 |
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Check beef labelling and new meat product regulations ready for
visit to butcher’s shop. Check trader history on database, print
guidance leaflets on relevant regulations including food standards
inspection sheets, advice and infringement notices. Pack food
sampling kit and white hat and coat for butcher visit. |
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11:30 |
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posted on website. Do meet requirements of distance selling
regulations but difficult to find. Rectify! Discuss CE marking
requirements and general toy safety. Trader asks about testing of
products – need to check and get back to him. |
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13:00 |
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Lunch |
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14:15 |
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Butcher’s shop. Explain purpose of visit – food standards
inspection. Start checking foods displayed on shop floor –
durability dates (e.g. bottles of sauces), descriptions and
labelling of meat contents for fresh and cooked meat products.
Select items with declared meat contents and any manufactured on the
premises (“speciality sausages”, “home made” meat pies.) for
sampling. Procedure: buy items in normal way, divide into 3
representative samples behind the scenes on premises, seal in
tamperproof cool bags – one portion for trader, one for storage back
at the office, third portion to send for analysis to check claims of
meat and fat content. |
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16:15 |
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Back at office – samples logged into secure food sample store,
advice given and issues discussed with traders logged on database. Research testing requirements of teddy bear manufacturer – confer with colleagues, write to trader.
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17.30 |
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Leave office. |
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