Counterfeiting has been a pervasive global issue, particularly affecting the fashion industry. The European Union has been actively engaged in combating the influx of fake products, with customs officials working tirelessly to seize counterfeit items. However, recent reports have shown a concerning 24.11% decrease in the number of counterfeit items intercepted by EU customs last year, despite only a 3.8% decrease in seizure operations.
In a stark contrast to previous years, the French manufacturers’ anti-counterfeiting association, UNIFAB, reported a significant drop in the number of seized counterfeit products. The figures reveal a decrease from 115 million items in 2011 to 31.4 million units in the previous year. Among the most commonly counterfeited products are apparel, footwear, watches, handbags, accessories, trainers, jewellery, perfumes, and cosmetics, with counterfeit clothes alone making up 7% of seized items.
The primary culprit behind these counterfeit goods continues to be China, accounting for 73% of the seized items. Other countries contributing to the illicit market include Turkey, Vietnam, Syria, India, and Egypt. While some countries like Lithuania, France, and Romania have shown effectiveness in seizing counterfeit goods, the decline in operations in nations like Denmark, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Sweden is troubling.
UNIFAB has emphasized the importance of a united effort across Europe to address this issue. President Christian Peugeot has called for increased awareness and training for customs officials to tackle the ongoing problem of counterfeiting. The fight against counterfeit goods requires collaboration between authorities, manufacturers, and consumers to uphold the credibility of the fashion industry. The recent decline in counterfeit seizures underscores the necessity for continuous vigilance and collective action to combat this illegal trade.
For more information on combating counterfeit goods, you can visit the World Customs Organization’s website here and the European Union Intellectual Property Office’s website here.
