Brussels, July 7, (dpa/GNA) – More than 200,000 counterfeit condoms from China have been sold in Europe.
According to a statement issued by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on Tuesday, the contraceptives were marketed under the name and with the logo of a well-known brand. The Brussels-based agency did not disclose the exact brand name when asked. “Counterfeit condoms are dangerous. They are untested, uncontrolled and unsafe. They can allow for the spread of sexually transmitted infections,” said OLAF Director Petr Klement, according to the statement.
According to the agency, the counterfeit condoms do not meet EU quality requirements for medical devices, particularly regarding testing for shelf life, stability, or contamination.
The European agency has identified the smuggling route for the counterfeit condoms, the statement added. Working with customs authorities in Romania, Serbia, and Spain, OLAF has examined the seized products after receiving initial tips from national authorities.
The counterfeit condoms, with an estimated market value of more than €200,000 (about $230,000), originated from the same source in China and had been falsely declared as toys. OLAF was able to identify the exporters of the shipments in cooperation with Chinese authorities.
GNA