In 2016, the European authorities intercepted more than 41 million counterfeit articles. According to the European Commission’s annual report on the customs action plan, this figure means that there has been an increase of just 2% compared to the previous year.
Based on data provided by member states, the report demonstrates a certain consistency compared to 2015, when there was a 15% increase in interceptions (see EUROPE 11631) of merchandise, as well as an increase the countries of origin and the intellectual property rights affected.
Cigarettes are still the article most frequently seized (24%), followed by toys (17%), food products (13%) and wrapping materials (12%).
With regard to the provenance of these products, China remains in the lead and is responsible for 80% of the products intercepted from its territory. Other main offenders include Vietnam and Pakistan for cigarettes, Hong Kong for mobile phones, Singapore for alcoholic drinks and India for counterfeit medicines.
The report demonstrates that just as in 2015, in more than 90% of cases, the products intercepted were destroyed or a legal procedure was initiated to establish the facts of the infringement, in cooperation with the rights holder of the trademark whose rights had been infringed.
Given that more than a third of products intercepted are considered dangerous to health and safety, counterfeiting continues to constitute a “real threat” to the EU, according to the Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, in a press release.
Although the EU has been applying stronger rules since 2015 for ensuring respect for intellectual property rights during customs clearance (regulation 608/2013), the Commissioner explained, “Cooperation between law enforcement authorities should be strengthened and risk management systems upgraded”. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)