Glasgow bylaws: deceptive advertising

Business and Consumer Protection Scotland 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland businesses and consumers must comply with laws that prohibit deceptive advertising and misleading commercial claims. Local enforcement is led by the council's Trading Standards service working with national consumer law to investigate misleading claims, unfair commercial practices and false endorsements. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 remains a core legal instrument for unfair commercial behaviour in the UK [1].

If you suspect a business in Glasgow is advertising deceptively, report it to Trading Standards promptly.

What the rules cover

The rules prohibit commercial practices that mislead consumers about price, product origin, characteristics, benefits, or availability. Typical covered matters include false price reductions, misleading “as seen” claims, fabricated reviews and hidden fees. Enforcement targets both on-premises and online advertising, and can apply to promotions, labels and digital listings.

Penalties & Enforcement

Local enforcement and penalties depend on the enforcing authority and the legal instrument used. Specific fine amounts and daily rates are not always set out on the local guidance pages and may depend on criminal or civil proceedings.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; penalties are determined under the applicable legislation and courts.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences may lead to warnings, notices, prosecutions or injunctions; specific ranges for escalation are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: trading restrictions, compliance orders, seizure of goods, injunctions, and referral to the Procurator Fiscal or courts for criminal prosecution.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Glasgow City Council Trading Standards is the primary local enforcer and accepts consumer reports and complaints via its official contact pages.[2]
  • Appeals and review: statutory appeal routes vary by order type; time limits for appeal are set in the notice or court order and are not specified on the cited page.
Timely reporting preserves evidence such as adverts, receipts and screenshots.

Applications & Forms

There is generally no single application form for enforcement; consumers report suspected offences to Trading Standards via the council's complaint pages, and businesses may apply for specific licences or approvals where required. No dedicated national “misleading advertising” permit form is published on the cited local pages.

Common violations

  • False price reductions or phantom discounts.
  • Misleading claims about effectiveness or origin.
  • Fabricated customer reviews and endorsements.
  • Hidden fees or undisclosed contract terms.

Action steps for consumers and businesses

  • Gather evidence: save adverts, screenshots, receipts and product packaging.
  • Report to Glasgow Trading Standards via the official contact page with full details and copies of evidence.[2]
  • For urgent or criminal threats, report to the Procurator Fiscal or contact Police Scotland.
  • If a business, correct adverts, issue refunds where due and seek legal or regulatory advice before running promotions.

FAQ

Who enforces deceptive advertising in Glasgow?
Glasgow City Council's Trading Standards service enforces consumer protection law alongside national legislation and prosecuting authorities.
Can a business be fined for misleading claims?
Yes; penalties and sanctions can include orders, seizure and prosecution, but specific fine amounts are not specified on the cited local guidance pages.[1]
How do I report misleading advertising?
Collect evidence and submit a complaint to Glasgow Trading Standards via the council's complaint/contact page.[2]

How-To

  1. Document the advertisement: take screenshots, note dates, store URLs and keep receipts.
  2. Check national rules: review the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 for relevant prohibitions.[1]
  3. Submit a complaint to Glasgow Trading Standards with evidence and your contact details.[2]
  4. If required, seek remedies such as refunds, corrections or cease-and-desist letters through formal enforcement routes.

Key Takeaways

  • Glasgow Trading Standards enforces rules against misleading advertising locally.
  • Keep clear evidence and report promptly to improve enforcement outcomes.

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