Trading Standards investigates private test facility

Thursday 21 May 2020


Trading Standards has launched an investigation into the Tamba-based antibody testing facility, Express has learned.

Government officials confirmed the move yesterday, just over a week after they warned islanders to be "extremely cautious” about using private centres following the launch of Orchid Care Services’ new venture, suggesting they would spread “fear and confusion."

But, when contacted for comment by Express, Managing Director James Ahier told Express it was the first he had heard of it.

“This news however does not surprise me, we have already had to deal with JOIC, Business Licensing and now Trading Standards. I do wonder what is next,” he commented.

Mr Ahier also said the fact that discussions about the operation of his covid-19 testing centre had played out in the media, was causing “miscommunication and anxiety - which is what the government have been quoted as saying that’s what our testing facility does”.

“It would be great if we could just have a reasonable conversation about this with Government. One of the reasons I reached out to Government before starting this project was to gauge their opinion,” he said. 

Pictured: Orchid Care Services have been using social media to share more information about their tests.

Trading Standards is a body tasked with ensuring products and services comply with consumer rights laws.

Among its areas of enforcement are price, safety of goods and advertising, which includes verifying the accuracy of claims made about products and ensuring endorsements and quality marks are used appropriately. 

The centre - which claims to have so far identified 52 individuals with traces of covid-19 - removed the WHO logo from its homepage and Test Data page earlier this week.  

Mr Ahier said that this was not done at the request of Trading Standards or any other organisation. 

He explained that the logo was on the site because it was “part of the package of documentation” received from covid-19 antibody test supplier CTK Biotech, which is “currently recognised as a supplier by the WHO”. 

He added: “As we recognised this product was not endorsed by the WHO, we took the logo down however WHO do provide links to TGA where the product is approved, furthermore this product has just been approved in the Philippines for mass testing also.”  

Pictured: The WHO logo initially appeared on the website's homepage and Test Data page, but has now been removed.

Government officials declined to comment on the matter, stating: “The Government of Jersey will not comment on any ongoing trading standard investigations.”

Express has asked whether it is normal procedure not to inform subjects of Trading Standards investigations, and whether officials will accept Mr Ahier’s suggestion of a “reasonable conversation” and is awaiting a reply.

Meanwhile, Deputy Kirsten Morel has launched a bid to introduce regulation for private covid-19 testing facilities.

If States Members vote in favour of proposals put forward by the St. Lawrence representative next month, the Health Minister will have to bring forward stringent rules to govern both antibody and PCR (diagnostic) testing. 

“No matter how minor, the ‘pin prick’ testing that is being offered privately in Jersey still constitutes a clinical process, and so it is reasonable for Islanders to be able to undertake such procedures in a clean, safe and appropriate environment. Whether a drive-through situation is such an environment is one of the elements that the States Assembly could expect the Minister for Health and Social Services to regulate appropriately,” Deputy Morel explained.