What is Square Deal?

The Trading Standards Service itself is responsible for maintaining a fair trade environment.

It is responsible for helping businesses to comply with the law, while maintaining a balance with consumers' needs, protecting them from unsafe goods, fraud and the like. In addition, consumers who are aware of their legal rights and have knowledge of their information requirements prior to making a purchase are more likely to enter into satisfactory transactions. It is clearly better to give consumers the means to make informed purchasing decisions rather than to sort things out after they have gone wrong.

It can be difficult for customers to know whether they are dealing with operators whom are operating fairly and honestly so Portsmouth City Council Trading Standards Service have a 'fair trade' scheme - SQUARE DEAL!

Why have Square Deal?

The scheme was introduced to

• promote fair trading within the City of Portsmouth
• to signpost consumers to fair and honest businesses
• to improve consumer confidence
• to help members fulfil their legal obligations
• to ensure compliance with trading standards legislation

By working in partnership with local businesses, we are working towards a fair and honest trading environment for the people of Portsmouth.