Counterfeit personal care in Europe
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
The number of counterfeit cosmetics and perfumes seized in the European Union increased 128% in 2006, according to a recent report from the European Commission. Customs officials in Europe seized more than 1.58 mil. counterfeit beauty products over the course of the year. The increase in imitation cosmetics and personal care is "particularly worrying" as pirated goods have the potential to harm consumers, the commission notes. Counterfeiting has "increased dramatically" across product categories; more than 250 mil. articles were seized in 2006, compared with just 75 mil. items in 2005. China is the main source of counterfeit goods; eighty-six percent of products seized in Europe are from China, according to the EC...