COUNTERFEIT TOYS

Toys infringing IP rights are frequently detected and seized both within and on entry to the EU . At 9.6 % of the articles seized at the EU’s external border, in 2019 toys were the fourth most frequently seized category of counterfeit products. In 2019, EU authorities seized 3 488 282 articles with an estimated value of EUR 15 332 034 . The trend in 2020 was similar, with toys being the sixth most common category of seized products. The majority of counterfeit toys seized in the EU are believed to originate from Argentina, China (including Hong Kong), and Turkey. Counterfeit toys are sold by physical retailers and via online platforms, and delivered by post and parcel services. In 2019, 18 % of the detected counterfeit toys in the EU were delivered via postal traffic . Counterfeit toys seized in the EU include toy cars, board games, dolls and many other varieties of toy. Counterfeit toys often imitate toys based on popular children’s TV shows. Authorities typically note a spike in the number of seizures leading up to and during festive seasons. In some cases, counterfeit toys are very similar to the real products and it is very difficult to distinguish between them. However, they typically lack any indication of origin and/or Declaration of Conformity (‘CE’ markings), which allow for the product to be traced to the manufacturer or the authorized traders in the EU. More frequently, the quality of counterfeit toys is low and they easily fall apart or do not work properly. Counterfeit toys do not comply with safety rules . They expose children to serious health risks as some counterfeit toys contain hazardous materials or toxic chemicals. The absence of quality control means that they might be improperly packaged, may include small parts and lack proper age grading and recommendations. Small parts can be dangerous for certain ages. Some electronic toys exceed legal decibel limits for toys which could permanently damage a child’s hearing. The presence of chemicals in counterfeit toys intended for babies presents a danger as babies chew and suck them. These substances can cause severe health issues . Moreover, the toy industry suffers significant income losses due to the illegal distribution of counterfeit toys.

Products        

1. toy cars
2. board games
3. dolls
4. varieties of toy
5. electronic toys