Trading Standards seize more than 200 counterfeit toys

Following a complaint made to Trading Standards about possible fake Labubus, which are collectible plush dolls, officers visited a shop in the city centre on Tuesday 7 October to carry out an inspection.

Along with 51 boxed Labubu dolls, a further 166 toys were seized. The Labubu toys are suspected to be counterfeit and are not marked with the name and address of the importer into the UK.

There were various issues with the remaining 166 toys, including missing CE marks, missing age warnings where the toys contains small parts, and missing name and address details of the manufacturer and importer into the UK.

Some toys were found to have easily detachable features such as eyes. Other safety concerns included weak seams giving access to stuffing materials and detachable small parts, which poses a choking hazard to young children.

The shop has been given a warning and the goods have been removed from sale.

The Toys (Safety) Regulations require that manufacturers meet the essential safety requirements. Retailers must also ensure the toys are CE marked, bear the name and address of the manufacturer or importer and ensure that the correct safety warnings are applied.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for trading standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Counterfeit toys are dangerous as well as illegal, as small parts, weak seams and missing safety warnings pose real risks to children. Our Trading Standards team will act swiftly on complaints or information from the public, and will investigate any shop suspected of selling fake toys. We would urge all retailers to check their stock carefully and shoppers to make sure any toys they buy for Christmas meet proper safety standards.”