Page 44 - IEC Insights May-Jun20

FEATURE
10 MOST COUNTERFEITED

PRODUCTS

The Facts About

FAKES

BY MONICA MENA, DIRECTOR,
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES

M

Many people believe buying a fake designer
purse or a fake cellphone charger is harmless,
and they are just getting “a good deal.”
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Counterfeiters are criminals who offer inferior goods that
imitate legitimate, quality products. And while those inferior
goods may come with a lower price tag, they can also come
with increased health and safety risks for innocent consumers.
The mission of the Be Safe/Buy Real Campaign, launched in
2019, is to help consumers make informed buying decisions
that will keep them and their families safe.
Just about everything can be counterfeited including electronic
equipment, batteries, car parts and pharmaceuticals. The
infographic shows the “10 Most Counterfeited Products.” A
recent analysis by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES THAT
and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual 5
Property Office (EUIPO) suggests counterfeit goods comprise BENEFIT COUNTERFEITS
at least 3.3% of global trade — and more for electronics and
other electrical goods.

When purchasing products at a store or online, always make
sure you are purchasing from a legitimate distributor. Many
legitimate manufacturers have lists of authorized distributors
on their websites. Research by the OECD and the EUIPO
suggested most electronic machinery and equipment products
on secondary markets are counterfeit. In most cases, if the
price is too good to be true, it probably is.
Counterfeiting is not a “victimless’ crime” — it poses
significant health and safety risks to consumers, industry
and society, as the infographic “Counterfeiting: Know the
Dangers” shows. Industry’s risks range from innovation to loss

42 Insights Magazine | May/June 2020 | www.ieci.org