A series of test purchases by Gloucestershire Trading Standards has revealed a worrying lack of compliance among local retailers that sell products containing corrosive substances, with eight out of ten illegally selling such products to underage volunteers.
Some of the products that were sold to underage volunteers (image credit: Gloucestershire Trading Standards)
The test purchases, which took place last month, were conducted in stores across Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, the Forest of Dean and Tewkesbury, with the support of local police cadets.
They were carried out to assess levels of compliance with the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, which contains provisions designed to restrict access to products containing the most harmful corrosive substances by prohibiting their sale and delivery to people aged under 18.
Eight of the ten businesses visited sold a product containing corrosive substances – including patio cleaner, plughole unblocker and caustic soda drain unblocker – without any checks on the customer’s age or requests for identification.
Gloucestershire Trading Standards says it will contact the shops that failed the test to provide advice on their legal obligations. If evidence of selling to minors is found in the future, more formal action – including prosecution – may follow.
Councillor Dave Norman, cabinet member for Trading Standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It’s disappointing to see that a number of retailers in the county have sold products containing corrosive substances to underage buyers.
“It’s important they seek advice and ensure that age-restricted goods are not sold to young people. Our Trading Standards team will be offering relevant advice to these businesses.”
