Trade descriptions label - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Tractorfan · 1st Jun 2013, 11:27 am

Hi,
Just found this in one of my many boxes of 'junk'. Apparently it was a the law to display this label on each item to comply with the trade descriptions act 1972. I presume it's no longer a requirement. Anyone else have any more info? For example, would everything have to bear such a label, or just consumer goods?
Cheers, Pete

Station X · 1st Jun 2013, 12:08 pm

The UK Trade Descriptions Act is dated 1968. The 1972 act probably originated in another country.

I believe the 1968 Act was replaced by The EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.

The Consumer Protection Act comes into it somewhere too.

hamid_1 · 1st Jun 2013, 4:48 pm

There was a law which said that all goods which were not made in the UK had to be marked with their country of origin. That was the purpose of the label in your photo.

The Trade Descriptions Act required all goods to be as described, including their country of origin. The Trade Descriptions Act may have been superseded by EU legislation now. Not sure if it still applies. For example most Vestel products (the cheap TVs, set top boxes sold in supermarkets) are not marked as "Made in Turkey", although they are.

In any case, the country of origin can become blurred. Manufacturers were still allowed to put "Made in UK" on goods which were assembled here from imported parts.

dominicbeesley · 3rd Jun 2013, 11:04 am

1972 Trades Description Act (with some cases about Made In X) appear to be from Malaysia - is that where your box was headed?

camtechman · 3rd Jun 2013, 4:06 pm

This label is stuck on the inside of the cassette compartment lid on a 1969 Pye Cambridge (made by Philips).

1st Jun 2013, 11:27 am	#1
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,184	Trade descriptions label Hi, Just found this in one of my many boxes of 'junk'. Apparently it was a the law to display this label on each item to comply with the trade descriptions act 1972. I presume it's no longer a requirement. Anyone else have any more info? For example, would everything have to bear such a label, or just consumer goods? Cheers, Pete Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."

1st Jun 2013, 12:08 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Trade descriptions label The UK Trade Descriptions Act is dated 1968. The 1972 act probably originated in another country. I believe the 1968 Act was replaced by The EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. The Consumer Protection Act comes into it somewhere too. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

1st Jun 2013, 4:48 pm	#3
hamid_1 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks. UK. Posts: 811	Re: Trade descriptions label There was a law which said that all goods which were not made in the UK had to be marked with their country of origin. That was the purpose of the label in your photo. The Trade Descriptions Act required all goods to be as described, including their country of origin. The Trade Descriptions Act may have been superseded by EU legislation now. Not sure if it still applies. For example most Vestel products (the cheap TVs, set top boxes sold in supermarkets) are not marked as "Made in Turkey", although they are. In any case, the country of origin can become blurred. Manufacturers were still allowed to put "Made in UK" on goods which were assembled here from imported parts.

3rd Jun 2013, 11:04 am	#4
dominicbeesley Octode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,885	Re: Trade descriptions label 1972 Trades Description Act (with some cases about Made In X) appear to be from Malaysia - is that where your box was headed?

3rd Jun 2013, 4:06 pm	#5
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Trade descriptions label This label is stuck on the inside of the cassette compartment lid on a 1969 Pye Cambridge (made by Philips). Attached Thumbnails __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!