Almost double the number of counterfeit products seized last year
Belgium’s Federal Public Service (FPS) Economy seized almost double the number of counterfeit products last year compared to 2023. This is due to a major catch of counterfeit toys.
The FPS Economy seized 411,021 counterfeit products last year, for destruction or recycling if possible. That is almost a doubling compared to 2023, when 217,053 products were seized. The sharp increase is due to a particularly large catch.
In recent years, inspectors had repeatedly found counterfeit toys, especially at market vendors and fairground operators. In 2024, there was a breakthrough in this investigation, with the discovery of a big hidden storage space. Over 350,000 products, worth an estimated 3.5 million euros, were seized. They were mostly stuffed animals, toy figures and playing cards.
Besides the toys, the FPS Economy also seized a lot of other products. Remarkably, they were mostly everyday goods and not luxury products. Besides the 350,000 toys, 10,000 perfume products, 16,000 pieces of clothing, 19,822 litres of liquid detergent and 16,070 kg of washing powder were also seized.
The FPS Economy warns of the dangers of counterfeit products. “For example, counterfeit toys are made of toxic substances or there is a high risk of suffocation,” explained spokesperson Lien Meurisse. “The composition of counterfeit creams, perfumes or washing products is not known and not tested, which can cause irritations on your skin and stains on your clothes.”
Anyone who thinks a shop or website is selling counterfeit can report it via the government platform ConsumerConnect, at https://consumerconnect.be. The Economic Inspectorate reviews those reports and may launch an investigation.
Illustration © BELGA PHOTO IMAGEBROKER
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