{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968.json",
  "id": "ukpga/1968/29",
  "title": "Trade Descriptions Act 1968",
  "short_title": "Trade Descriptions Act 1968",
  "long_title": "An Act to replace the Merchandise Marks Acts 1887 to 1953 by fresh provisions prohibiting misdescriptions of goods, services, accommodation and facilities provided in the course of trade; to prohibit false or misleading indications as to the price of goods; to confer power to require information on instructions relating to goods to be marked on or to accompany the goods or to be included in advertisements; to prohibit the unauthorised use of devices or emblems signifying royal awards; to enable the Parliament of Northern Ireland to make laws relating to merchandise marks; and for purposes connected with those matters.",
  "citation": "1968 c. 29",
  "type": "ukpga",
  "year": "1968",
  "number": "29",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1968-05-30",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2025-04-06",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 0,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/introduction",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/prohibition-of-false-trade-descriptions",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Prohibition of false trade descriptions",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Prohibition of false trade descriptions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-1",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/prohibition-of-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Trade description.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-2",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/prohibition-of-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "False trade description.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-3",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/prohibition-of-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Applying a trade description to goods.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-4",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/prohibition-of-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Trade descriptions used in advertisements.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-5",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/prohibition-of-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Offer to supply.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-6",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/prohibition-of-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/power-to-define-terms-and-to-require-display-etc-of-information",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Power to define terms and to require display, etc. of information",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/7",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Definition orders.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-7",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/power-to-define-terms-and-to-require-display-etc-of-information"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Marking orders.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-8",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/power-to-define-terms-and-to-require-display-etc-of-information"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/9",
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      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Information etc. to be given in advertisements.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-9",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/10",
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      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Provisions supplementary to sections 8 and 9.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-10",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/power-to-define-terms-and-to-require-display-etc-of-information"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/misstatements-other-than-false-trade-descriptions",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Misstatements other than false trade descriptions",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/11",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-11",
      "extent": null,
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/misstatements-other-than-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": "False representations as to royal approval or award, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-12",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/misstatements-other-than-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/13",
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      "heading": "False representations as to supply of goods or services.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-13",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/misstatements-other-than-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/14",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "False or misleading statements as to services etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-14",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/misstatements-other-than-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": "Orders defining terms for purposes of section 14.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-15",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/misstatements-other-than-false-trade-descriptions"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/prohibition-of-importation-of-certain-goods",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Prohibition of importation of certain goods",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/16",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": "Prohibition of importation of goods bearing false indication of origin.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-16",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/prohibition-of-importation-of-certain-goods"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/17",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "17",
      "heading": "Restriction on importation of goods bearing infringing trade marks.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-17",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/prohibition-of-importation-of-certain-goods"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/provisions-as-to-offences",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Provisions as to offences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/18",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "18",
      "heading": "Penalty for offences.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-18",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-as-to-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/19",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "19",
      "heading": "Time limit for prosecutions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-19",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-as-to-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/20",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "20",
      "heading": "Offences by corporations.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-20",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-as-to-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/21",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "21",
      "heading": "Accessories to offences committed abroad.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-21",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-as-to-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/22",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "22",
      "heading": "Restrictions on institution of proceedings and admission of evidence.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-22",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-as-to-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/23",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "23",
      "heading": "Offences due to fault of other person.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-23",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-as-to-offences"
    },
    {
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      "heading": "Defences",
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/24",
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      "number": "24",
      "heading": "Defence of mistake, accident, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-24",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/25",
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      "heading": "Innocent publication of advertisement.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-25",
      "extent": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/26",
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      "heading": "Enforcing authorities.",
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      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/27",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "27",
      "heading": "Power to make test purchases.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-27",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/enforcement"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/28",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "28",
      "heading": "Power to enter premises and inspect and seize goods and documents.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-28",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/enforcement"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/29",
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      "number": "29",
      "heading": "Obstruction of authorised officers.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-29",
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      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/enforcement"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/30",
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      "number": "30",
      "heading": "Notice of test and intended prosecution.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-30",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/31",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "31",
      "heading": "Evidence by certificate.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-31",
      "extent": null,
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    {
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/32",
      "kind": "section",
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      "heading": "Power to exempt goods sold for export, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-32",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-supplemental"
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    {
      "path": "section/33",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "33",
      "heading": "Compensation for loss, etc. of goods seized under s. 28.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-33",
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/34",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "34",
      "heading": "Trade marks containing trade descriptions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-34",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-supplemental"
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    {
      "path": "section/35",
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      "number": "35",
      "heading": "Saving for civil rights.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-35",
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/36",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "36",
      "heading": "Country of origin.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-36",
      "extent": null,
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    {
      "path": "section/37",
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      "heading": "Market research experiments.",
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      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
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    {
      "path": "section/38",
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      "number": "38",
      "heading": "Orders.",
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      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
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    {
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      "path": "section/40",
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      "heading": "Provisions as to Northern Ireland.",
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      "status": null,
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      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/trade-descriptions-act-1968/section-42",
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      "heading": "Short title and commencement.",
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      "path": "schedule/1",
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      "number": "1",
      "heading": "CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS",
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    }
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    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:54:22.375175+00:00"
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  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}