Agents from the Fiscal and Borders Department of the Guardia Civil have seized over 400 counterfeit toys from businesses in the south of Tenerife that pose a health risk to children, according to an official police press release.
During inspections carried out in various shops in Costa Adeje, Las Galletas, and Las Chafiras, agents discovered that the confiscated toys failed to meet safety standards. Some lacked proper labelling and usage instructions, while others had illegal labelling.
In many instances, they closely resemble genuine products, making them difficult to distinguish at first glance. This presented "a serious health risk to children," as none of the items had undergone the safety tests mandated by law, and the packaging lacked necessary warnings or advice for use.
The Guardia Civil officers issued the corresponding reports and complaints to the owners of the various businesses. These documents have been forwarded to the relevant authorities with the power to enforce penalties or closure of the business, as they violated the provisions of Law 3/2003, dated February 12, on the Statute of Consumers and Users of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.
This is in accordance with Royal Decree 1801/2003, dated December 26, on the general safety of products, and Royal Decree 1205/2011, dated August 26, on the safety of toys.
The police have outlined three key pieces of advice for consumers when purchasing toys: ensure they bear the European CE conformity marking (certified approval), ensure that warnings are written in Spanish, and verify that the name of the toy's importer, manufacturer, or seller is at least provided.
Parents and guardians are urged to exercise caution and adhere to these guidelines to ensure the safety of the toys purchased for their children. The Guardia Civil remains committed to enforcing safety standards and protecting consumers from potentially harmful products in shops.