12 OCTOBER 2005

PRESS RELEASE

CTSA should create launchpad for trading standards improvement and added
value says TSI

The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) has called for the Government's
proposed regulator, the Consumer and Trading Standards Agency (CTSA), to
spark improvements in trading standards, consumer protection and business
competition.

The CTSA's role must focus on creating national standards and priorities for
UK trading standards services, TSI says. It must also have teeth - with
power to intervene if local authorities fail to meet these standards.

These are some of the headline points in the Institute's response to the
DTI's consultation on the proposed role and make-up of the CTSA, which is
due to be up and running by 2009.

Ron Gainsford, chief executive of TSI said: "A new 'super' agency at the
heart of Government can bring many exciting new opportunities to enhance
trading standards work. It should set clear standards and provide strong
national leadership to develop a service for current and future UK consumers
and businesses.

"I believe our response will play a positive part in helping make sure that
the agency achieves these goals and that its creation reinforces trading
standards services, both individually and collectively, to realise their
full potential to support consumers and UK plc."

TSI's response reflects the views of trading standards professionals from
both private and public sectors.

Mr Gainsford adds: "The proposals offer great opportunities to refine
existing services for trading standards that will give consumers and
businesses greater consistency.

"We want to see an agency that gives locally-provided trading standards
services a clear regulatory and financial framework, backed by powers to
enforce where necessary.

"It must also provide strong strategic direction and leadership to give
better protection and service for UK consumers and businesses today,
tomorrow and for many years to come."

TSI's full response to the DTI's consultation will be available at
www.tsi.org.uk from 2355hrs on October 12, 2005.