The number of trading standards officers working in Scotland has fallen to a record low.
Figures show there are now just 249.97 full-time equivalent (FTE) officers across the country – down more than half from 2002.
The vital service is now struggling to investigate the scams, fake goods and unsafe products complaints from consumers.
Chairwoman of the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (Scotss) Alexandra Connell said: ‘Trading standards services are at their lowest ebb and our ability to do our job is significantly hampered by a lack of human resource.’
As a Scotss workforce survey for 2025 said: ‘Without urgent Government intervention, Scotland risks losing the local authority trading standards service as an effective consumer protection and business support mechanism.’
According to the survey, 58 per cent of qualified officers are aged over 50, also raising concerns retirements could see numbers fall further.
Meanwhile, 22 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’.
The number of trading standards officers working in Scotland has slumped to a record low, leading to calls for urgent action
Trading Standards Scotland
Ms Connell said: ‘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 ‘paint a stark picture of the challenges facing trading standards in Scotland’.
He said: ‘The current position is simply not sustainable. 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 trading standards are facing a debilitating resource crisis.
‘Urgent action by Government is essential to ensure they have the workforce and resources needed 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.
