Immigrants sell counterfeit goods in downtown Athens. This new campaign aims to raise awareness on the risks attached to these goods and to stimulate cooperation between stakeholders. Photo: Gabriela Insuratelu

The European Commission has started a campaign which aims to raise consumer awareness and to prevent the circulation of counterfeit goods within the European market. Counterfeiting within the European Union has increased considerably in recent years with trade in fake goods accounting for over €200 billion in losses per year for the world economy. The Commission claims that counterfeiting is posing a threat to the European economy by damaging legitimate businesses, obstructing innovation and putting many jobs at risk.

The risk for the security and health of consumers is becoming a greater problem in Europe. The highly dangerous effects on consumers caused by the circulation of counterfeit food products, medicines, cosmetics, children’s toys, and electrical appliances have prompted the need to identify strategies and effective practices to help rightful owners to protect their rights and to safeguard consumer health and safety.

Commission vice-president Antonio Tajani and Commissioner Michel Barnier are emphasising the need for European citizens to be aware of risks when purchasing counterfeit goods. The campaign’s objectives are to raise awareness on the risks attached to these goods and to stimulate cooperation between the Commission, national governments and other stakeholders to help address the problems brought about by counterfeit products in the EU.

For information visit http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/index_en.htm .

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