Fake toys are a dangerous game

‘’Counterfeit toys can put children in danger. Illicit toys that do not respect safety standards – and this can include counterfeits – can contain high levels of banned or restricted chemicals, and they can pose choking, strangulation and fire hazards. As if that were not enough, fake toys are infringements of intellectual property rights. They damage legitimate businesses and cost jobs.’’ warned Ville Itälä, Director-General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

The issue will resonate with many as much of Europe is approaching the holiday season. However, the fight against fake toys is an all-year job. Tens of thousands of counterfeit toys are seized every year thanks to OLAF.

OLAF works with EU partners and with national authorities in the EU’s Member States and beyond to help track down counterfeits and the international schemes behind them. OLAF helps analyse and pool intelligence to trace the bigger picture, so that national authorities can intervene in a more targeted way.

Together with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Spanish Tax Agency, OLAF has just brought together in Alicante, Spain the actors of the fight against counterfeit toys. At a two-day conference on combatting counterfeiting in the toy sector, around 60 participants identified the latest criminal trends and shared best enforcement practices. For more information, see the EUIPO’s press release.

It is important that everyone stays alert against counterfeits, including consumers and parents. When buying a toy, it is good practice to check that it bears a CE mark and to watch for any signs of counterfeiting in the packaging. If anyone suspects that a toy has been counterfeit, they should report this to their national authorities.