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Brussels – In connection with the Olympic Games in Paris and the Football-EM in Germany, about 630,000 counterfeit sports and merchandise items have been seized in the EU so far. A joint action by European customs authorities aims to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the EU market to protect the economy and consumers, as reported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf).
Sportswear, shoes, toys, and sports equipment were mainly seized by the customs during the cross-border operation, the Brussels authority reported. However, as these are only preliminary results, the numbers could still be higher, according to the report.
German customs also involved
The joint customs operation is led by France. Germany is also involved, as reported by the European Anti-Fraud Office. Moreover, other EU member states monitored the flow of goods at the EU’s external borders to prevent the entry of counterfeit goods into the internal market before the sporting events.
The demand for official products intended for both participants and the general public increases during the two major sporting events, according to the office. This also attracts the attention of criminals seeking to capitalize on it. They flood the market with counterfeit products despite significant risks to human health and safety, according to the report. (August 1)