Over 100 counterfeit and unsafe toys seized

Over 100 counterfeit and unsafe toys have been seized after an inspection of a local business in Rhondda Cynon Taf by Trading Standards Officers.

The goods which had been bought by the business from the online retailer TEMU, were voluntarily surrendered to Trading Standards. The business owner was left upset, thinking that the items they had on sale could have brought harm to their customers.

The Council’s Trading Standards team are here to offer advice to keep businesses and the public safe and will always look to work with businesses to put things right before any enforcement action is taken. On this occasion the business owner was extremely apologetic about her ignorance to Toy Safety and engaged fully with Trading Standards to better understand the regulations and full written advice was provided.

We have chosen to not identify the business due to their significant cooperation and transparency with Trading Standards Officers.

During the initial checks of the toys, the officer found that they did not have any manufacturers details or instructions, on display: although they did have a CE marking.  As all other required labelling was not present, it is likely that the CE mark was falsely placed on the products.  This means they probably have not been tested for safety, including potentially harmful and toxic chemicals.

Good to know: Where a UKCA/CE marking is present, it should not be solely relied upon, buyers should also carry out other checks before deciding whether to purchase an item.

The business owner thought that because they had been bought online from a known retailer that they must be safe, however this is not always the case. This is a lesson for the public and businesses and the old saying ‘If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is’. The same rules apply to online sellers and high street retailers, and it is important for everyone to know their responsibilities before placing items for sale.

Where items are bought online from overseas suppliers, they must comply with all UK legislation before they are placed on the market.

Additionally, if you are a business and use an oversea supplier, you then become an Importer of goods and are responsible for all safety checks which may include physical testing.

Following the discovery the items will be destroyed and recycled by the Trading Standards team.

Rhian Hope, Head of Public Protection and Regulatory Services at RCT Council said the toys they seized had no manufacturing information.

“That means that they probably haven't been safety tested; the fabrics or the material used could be toxic,” she said.

Some soft toys had a label with a CE mark – indicating they complied with EU standards. But these labels were likely to be fake, making it difficult for buyers.

“Look for the information about where the item was produced – there should be an address there,” she said.

"People should also think about the price. If the price is too good, it should really be creating a warning sign in your head.”

Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said:

“Bargain hunters need to be aware that fake, substandard toys can break and cause injuries or pose choking hazards, toxic materials can cause burns and serious harm, while illegal electrical toys can lead to fires or electrocution.

“It’s not unusual for rogue sellers to cash in on desperate shoppers by selling fake versions of ‘must-have’ toys sold out in well-known retailers. In this case the business owner also fell for the goods and was devastated that her business could have caused harm within her local community – the dedicated team in Trading Standards are always available to help businesses ensure that they comply with the UK laws and always look to assist businesses where genuine mistakes are made. Enforcement is always a last resort, that is only undertaken when they believe a law has been broken that would cause harm to the public.

The business owner has worked with the team and thankfully all the items were given to trading standards to be disposed of safely.”

Toy Safety is a serious matter, here are checks you can make when purchasing toys -

• UKCA/CE Markings, Some UKCA/CE markings are falsely placed on items making it look like they are safe, also check for manufacturers details including an address/postcode.

• Check for instructions for use/warnings and guidance on age-appropriate use.

• Check for sharp edges and/or loose parts.

• Always purchase from a reputable Trader.

• Cost, if the item is very cheap in comparison to other similar products, that may be a sign they could be unsafe.

Additional requirements:

• Battery operated toys need to have a screw compartment where the batteries are stored

• Toys with magnet should be checked that the magnets aren’t too strong

• Fancy Dress need to have a fire warning due to flammability.

If businesses or the public have any concerns about Toy Safety, further information is available on Business Companion Toys | Business Companion and at the Child Accident Prevention trust Toy Safety or contact the Council’s Trading Standards Team on 01443 744288 or email tradingstandards@rctcbc.gov.uk.