Watch out for Counterfeit Condoms

22nd November 2007

Trading Standards Officers have discovered fake condoms being sold by businesses in Brent which may not provide proper protection against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

Brent & Harrow Trading Standards Service is warning consumers and businesses to check the serial numbers of Durex condoms before using or selling them. Seven different types of fake three-pack Durex Condoms have been identified as counterfeit.

The types and serial numbers of the fake Durex Condoms are as follows:
• Arouser – 20906043
• Extra Safe – 20604354, 21405074, D0648AA
• Fetherlite – 21405074, 2140574, 2145074, A0708BA
• Gossamer – 21405074, 200309, 2145074
• Performa – 20105422, TGL4142, TR30538
• Ribbed – 2991118, 20904142, 20905271
• Select – 2991118, P4379
• Sensation – 21006411, I0447BE
• Ultra Thin – A0630BC

If a business sells counterfeit condoms, or has them in possession for supply, they will be committing a criminal offence. Trading Standards can seize the counterfeit condoms and prosecute traders who do not comply with the law. Selling counterfeit goods could result in a fine.

Speaking on this subject, Bill Bilon, the Director of Brent & Harrow Trading Standards Service said –

“Fake condoms pose a risk to end users in terms of the lack of protection that they may offer. I urge businesses to check their stocks of these products to ensure that they only stock genuine ones and if they are in any doubt then to contact Trading Standards. Selling fake goods is a serious criminal offence and my officers will continue to visit businesses and take appropriate action.”

If you are a consumer and you have bought counterfeit condoms then you should take them back to the shop that you purchased them from and obtain a refund. You can contact Brent & Harrow Trading Standards Service on 020 8937 5555. Alternatively you can contact the Durex consumer helpline on 0800 338 739.

• The Trade Marks Act 1994 creates a criminal offences if a trader sells or offers to sell counterfeit goods and a breach of this Act could result in an unlimited fine and or up to ten years imprisonment
• Photos of the counterfeit condoms are available on request
• For further information on this press release please contact Simon Legg on 020 8937 5522 or Lee Wenzel on 020 8937 5527

Brent & Harrow Trading Standards uncover a massive find of counterfeit condoms

Date: 28th November 2007

Officers from Brent and Harrow Trading Standards have seized thousands of counterfeit condoms from a self storage unit in the Wembley area. These condoms have an estimated retail value of approximately £45,000.

As part of an ongoing operation to tackle the trade in counterfeit goods, Trading Standards Officers visited the storage unit following a tip off on 27th November 2007.

Officers arrived at the scene and were amazed to find approximately 40,000 Durex Condoms which are all believed to be counterfeit. Enquiries are now being made to further the investigation and establish the supply chain.

Other than the serial numbers found on the bottom of the box, it is very difficult to spot the differences between a box of genuine and counterfeit condoms which are sold in packs containing 3 condoms. However, the printing on the counterfeit boxes is of poor quality and the text is slightly blurred.

Bill Bilon, the Director of Brent & Harrow Trading Standards said -
“This is the biggest find of counterfeit condoms in this area following several weeks of investigations by my officers. Previous seizures have been from local traders during which much smaller quantities of counterfeit condoms were found. It is very pleasing to have intercepted and seized thousands of counterfeit condoms from higher up the supply chain. Counterfeiting does not only create an unfair trading environment for bona fide traders, but in this case, the condoms could be unsafe which can lead to unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. My advice to the public is to be vigilant and to check the ‘News’ section of our website to obtain information which will help in identifying the counterfeit products (www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/brent&harrow). Alternatively local consumers can call 020 8937 5527 for further information”