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We spend an average £300 each on
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Trading standards officers and Consumer Affairs Minister Kim Howells are warning of the serious drawbacks in doing this.
A toy bought cheaply in a pub could even kill or maim a child, and a "designer" shirt bought from a man with a suitcase in the street might fall apart on first use - or be a tacky replica of the real thing.
It is often impossible to seek redress, as the seller may not return to the same place twice.
But Kim Howells says shopper can help combat the problem: "People should be aware that counterfeiting damages everyone, not just big business. Fake goods are at best poor quality, at worst dangerous.
"Consumers can help to reduce the demand for fakes and drive the counterfeiters out of work."
In particular, trading standards officers are warning against cheap imported micro scooters with sharp edges, novelty slippers with eyes that fall out, "designer" jeans, perfumes and bags.
"It's not just that these perfumes smell awful, they are dangerous and often made with industrial essence. This is not the sort of thing you should be putting on your skin".
The Trading Standards Institute has drawn up a list of tips for shoppers and it advises that even if you are in a hurry, safe is better than sorry.
It recommends that: shoppers buy from a recognised retailer or one they know, look out for the BSI Kite and "Lion" quality mark, and check the age group for which a toy is suitable.
The institute warns consumers to be wary about buying from car boot sales, unlicensed street traders and short-term lease shops, pubs and clubs
The Consumers' Association also has advice for shoppers buying in haste.
Ajay Patel, the association's principal lawyer, says: "What shoppers must bear in mind, even when they're shopping in a rush, is that they still have rights.
"If the goods are faulty or are unfit for the purpose for which they were intended and fall apart, they are entitled to their money back - don't get fobbed off by a credit note, unless you want one."
He warns that if you decide you do not like the item, a shop has no legal obligation to take goods back - although many do as part of their customer service policies.
He suggests that shoppers check this before buying.
THE COST OF CHRISTMAS
Christmas shoppers are being warned to beware of counterfeit goods and potentially harmful presents.
Shopping can turn to Christmas panic when common sense often disappears amid desperate attempts to find suitable items for friends and family.
The cost of Christmas seems to be spiralling out of control - UK retail spending, including food in December 2000, hit a staggering £25bn.
The UK is spending an average £300 a head on presents - so there is little wonder that shoppers can be tempted to cut down on bills by buying cheap goods from unauthorised traders.
We spend an average £300 each on presents
Trading standards officers and Consumer Affairs Minister Kim Howells are warning of the serious drawbacks in doing this.
A toy bought cheaply in a pub could even kill or maim a child, and a "designer" shirt bought from a man with a suitcase in the street might fall apart on first use - or be a tacky replica of the real thing.
It is often impossible to seek redress, as the seller may not return to the same place twice.
But Kim Howells says shopper can help combat the problem: "People should be aware that counterfeiting damages everyone, not just big business. Fake goods are at best poor quality, at worst dangerous.
"Consumers can help to reduce the demand for fakes and drive the counterfeiters out of work."
In particular, trading standards officers are warning against cheap imported micro scooters with sharp edges, novelty slippers with eyes that fall out, "designer" jeans, perfumes and bags.
"It's not just that these perfumes smell awful, they are dangerous and often made with industrial essence. This is not the sort of thing you should be putting on your skin".
The Trading Standards Institute has drawn up a list of tips for shoppers and it advises that even if you are in a hurry, safe is better than sorry.
It recommends that: shoppers buy from a recognised retailer or one they know, look out for the BSI Kite and "Lion" quality mark, and check the age group for which a toy is suitable.
The institute warns consumers to be wary about buying from car boot sales, unlicensed street traders and short-term lease shops, pubs and clubs
The Consumers' Association also has advice for shoppers buying in haste.
Ajay Patel, the association's principal lawyer, says: "What shoppers must bear in mind, even when they're shopping in a rush, is that they still have rights.
"If the goods are faulty or are unfit for the purpose for which they were intended and fall apart, they are entitled to their money back - don't get fobbed off by a credit note, unless you want one."
He warns that if you decide you do not like the item, a shop has no legal obligation to take goods back - although many do as part of their customer service policies.
He suggests that shoppers check this before buying.
TRADER ADVICE
As children are considered to be particularly vulnerable, the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995 require that toys comply with a number of essential safety requirements. The rules apply to new and second-hand toys.
A toy is defined as any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children under 14, subject to a number of exclusions.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
• The users of toys, as well as third parties, must be protected against health hazards and risk of physical injury when toys are used as intended or in a foreseeable way, bearing in mind the normal behaviour of children.
• The degree of risk must be commensurate with the ability of their users, in particular where toys are intended for use by children under 36 months. Warnings regarding minimum ages and the need for adult supervision may be necessary.
• Labels and instructions may be needed to draw attention to any risks associated with the toy.
PARTICULAR RISKS
Physical and mechanical properties.
Toys must be strong enough to resist damage that could lead to a risk of injury. Edges, protrusions, cords, cables and fastenings should be designed and constructed so they are safe.
Moving parts must not pinch, trap, or cut.
Toys for under 36 months, or their detachable parts must not present a choking hazard.
Toys or their packaging should not present a risk of strangulation or suffocation.
Aquatic toys, when used as intended, should be designed so as to reduce as far as possible any risk of loss of buoyancy. (Aquatic equipment for use in deep water is not classed as a toy).
Toys that a child may enter must have a means of escape that can open easily from the inside.
Toys conferring mobility should incorporate a means of stopping that is easy and safe to use.
Projectiles should be of a type that presents little risk of injury, and should develop limited kinetic energy.
The surfaces of toys with heating elements must not get hot enough to cause burns when touched, and any liquid or gas within such toys should not cause injury if it escapes.
Flammability
Toys must not constitute a dangerous flammable element in the child’s environment. They should be resistant to accidental ignition, and if they do ignite they should burn slowly.
If toys contain dangerous substances in order to function (e.g. chemistry sets, model assembly kits, ceramics, photography) they must not contain substances which may become volatile due to loss of non-flammable volatile components.
Toys must not be explosive, or contain potentially explosive substances (fireworks and percussion caps are not classed as toys).
Toys, and in particular chemistry games and toys, must not contain substances that, when mixed, may explode through chemical reaction, oxidisation, or heating. They should not contain volatile components which are flammable in air.
Chemical properties
Toys should not present health hazards or risks of physical injury by ingestion, inhalation or contact with the skin, mucous tissues or eyes. Maximum levels are set for the bioavailability of heavy metals.
Electrical properties
Electrical toys must not be powered by electricity exceeding 24volts.
Parts which are connected to, or may come into contact with a source of electricity capable of causing electric shock must be properly insulated and mechanically protected.
The maximum temperatures reached by all directly accessible surfaces must not be such as to cause burns when touched.
Hygiene
Toys must be designed to be hygienic and clean in order to avoid any risk of infection, sickness and contamination.
Radioactivity
Toys must not contain radioactive elements or substances in forms or proportions likely to cause illness.
Labelling
In addition to the requirement that toys should be safe there are a number of labelling requirements.
The CE mark
New toys must be marked with the CE mark, which indicates that the toy meets the essential safety requirements, and details of the manufacturer or importer must be supplied. Used toys are exempt from this requirement. The presence of a CE mark on an undamaged toy, with warnings and instructions as appropriate may be sufficient to satisfy retailers that a used toy is safe, but without the CE mark extra care should be taken.
Safety Information
All new and used toys must be marked with warnings and instructions where necessary for their safe use. There are a number of standard warnings such as “Not suitable for children under 36 months”, “Warning: protective equipment should be worn”, and “Warning: to be used under the direct supervision of an adult”, that must be used in specified circumstances. In addition, where necessary to reduce inherent risks in a toy’s use, appropriate warnings and instructions for use must accompany the toy.
2005. Items not regarded as toys are:
PRODUCTS NOT REGARDED AS TOYS
The Regulations list a number of items that are not regarded as toys. However these should be reasonably safe and may be covered either by specific legislation, or by the General Product Safety Regulations
Aquatic equipment for deep water
Air guns and air pistols
Babies dummies
Bicycles for sport or highway use
Christmas decorations
Detailed scale models for adult collectors
Electric ovens, irons or other functional products operated at a nominal voltage exceeding 24 volts
Faithful reproductions of firearms
Fashion jewellery for children
Fireworks including percussion caps
Folk dolls and decorative dolls etc. for collectors
Playground equipment
Products containing heating elements intended for use under the supervision of an adult in a teaching context
‘Professional’ toys in public places
Puzzles with more than 500 pieces or without picture
Sets of darts with metallic points
Slings and catapults
Sports equipment
Toy steam engines
Vehicles with combustion engines
Video toys that can be connected to a video screen, operated at a nominal voltage exceeding 24 volts
- Aberdeen City Council, Trading Standards Service,
- St. Nicholas House, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1BX
- Telephone: (01224) 523737 Fax: (01224) 645786
- Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/Aberdeen/
- E-Mail: tradingstandards@aberdeencity.gov.uk