The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has uncovered a smuggling network through which more than 200,000 counterfeit condoms arrived in Europe from China, falsely declared as toys, N1 reports, citing Euronews.
The products bypassed European Union quality control requirements, exposing consumers to the risk of sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, and dangerous chemicals and materials.
Condoms in the European Union are classified as medical devices and must meet strict health and safety standards, including controls for microbiological contamination, biocompatibility, leak resistance, dimensions, shelf life and stability. The counterfeits evaded all these checks.
"Counterfeit condoms are dangerous. They are untested, uncontrolled and unsafe," warned OLAF head Petr Klement.
The fake condoms, valued at more than 200,000 euros, were seized in Romania, Serbia and Spain. They were sold under the name and logo of a well-known brand, but OLAF did not disclose which brand was involved or how many products had already reached consumers.
"It is difficult to provide exact figures due to the nature of illegal networks," an OLAF spokesperson told Euronews, adding that counterfeit goods are hard to trace and therefore difficult to notify potential buyers.
In cooperation with Chinese authorities, OLAF identified the exporter behind the shipments; their identity has not been disclosed.
