PA MediaThe number of trading standards officers working in Scotland has fallen to a record low – with concerns being raised that they “cannot continue to protect Scottish consumers for much longer”.
New figures show there are 249.97 full-time equivalent (FTS) officers in councils across the country – with this down more than half from 511.6 in 2002.
The Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (Scotss) noted it is the first time the number of trading standards officers – who are employed by councils across the country – has fallen below 250, with a warning that services are at their “lowest ebb”.
Scotss chairwoman Alexandra Connell added that trading standards officers’ ability to do their job is now “significantly hampered by a lack of human resource”.
She was speaking as the Scotss workforce survey for 2025 made clear: “Without urgent Government intervention, Scotland risks losing the local authority trading standards service as an effective consumer protection and business support mechanism.”
Trading standards officers work to enforce laws to protect consumers, checking for unsafe or counterfeit products, but according to the Scotss survey, 58% of qualified officers are aged over 50, raising concerns retirements could see numbers fall further.
Meanwhile, it noted that 22 out of Scotland’s 32 councils now operate with eight or fewer trading standards staff.
This is up from 15 in 2013, with Scotss saying councils with fewer staff “perform worse than larger services and have little capacity to improve”.
Ms Connell said: “This survey confirms what every Scotss member knows, that trading standards services in Scotland are at their lowest ebb and our ability to do our job is significantly hampered by a lack of human resource.
“Given the serious age demographic of staff, the service cannot continue to protect Scottish consumers for much longer without a serious look at how we operate and what funding is available.”
John Herriman, chief executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said the findings of the workforce survey “paint a stark picture of the challenges facing trading standards in Scotland”.
He said: “The current position is simply not sustainable for the future – consumers risk being left exposed to unsafe products, scams, and illegal sales, while businesses will be denied the support they need to navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
“This isn’t just a Scottish issue – it is a UK-wide challenge.
“While trading standards teams go above and beyond to protect the public and support businesses, with the right investment, these services can deliver even greater protection, fairness, and confidence for consumers and businesses alike.”
Luke McGarty, head of policy and public affairs at the Scottish Grocers Federation, said: “A well-resourced trading standards service is crucial for ensuring fair and consistent trading conditions for Scottish retailers and helps to ensure customers have confidence that what’s on the shelves is genuine and safe.
“However, it is now clear that trading standards are facing a debilitating resource crisis.
“Urgent action by the Government is essential to ensure they have the workforce and resources they need to clamp down on the growing market in illicit trade and shut down rogue sellers pushing unregulated and dangerous products.
“Without action, the situation will only get worse, putting the public at risk and adding to the pressure already felt by many lifeline local businesses that are now having to compete against cheap illegal traders.”
Cosla, the body which represents Scotland’s councils, has been contacted for comment.
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