More than 2,000 illegal toys seized by Wolverhampton trading standards
More than 2,000 illegal toys have been seized by Wolverhampton Council over potential risks to children.
Test purchases were carried out on the fake "Squishes" across the city by the trading standards team, with the toys failing health and safety regulations.
And now the group has been recognised by their work by winning the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Hero Awards and the Regulatory Excellence Awards 2019 for Product Safety.
The toys were seized and sent to Hampshire Scientific Services to initially test for harmful phthalates.
And test results found dangerous faults in the packaging, labelling and a lack of warning labels required by law.
Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment at Wolverhampton Council said: “I’m pleased the team have been recognised at national level for the work they do to protect the public.
“It’s important we carry out these test purchases, especially on new products where often fake goods are replicated putting customers at risk.
“Our local traders have also been affected and left out of pocket due trusting suppliers not complying with the law.
“We are working with other local authorities to act against the distributors of these products, to ensure children are protected from the risks posed by these dangerous toys.
“I would like to thank the trading standards team for their continued efforts across all workstreams, putting the safety of the people of Wolverhampton first in everything they do.”
The forged toys, imported from China, arrived in loose packaging with manufacturing details, test certificates and CE markings all proving to be fake.
CE marking is a certification mark with states the toy meets health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the EU.
Customers and traders who believe they have purchased fake Squishes are urged to contact the council's trading standards team via intel@wolverhampton.gov.uk or Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06.
