Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards Team say they’re constantly on the lookout for counterfeit goods and products which flout safety legislation. In the case of toys, these could pose serious dangers for children.
The Labubu brand toy elves were seized from an undisclosed outlet in Neath Port Talbot and are currently being examined.
Labubu is a brand of monster elves created by designer Kasing Lung and marketed by Chinese retailer Pop Mart. Labubu is also the name of the main character in the series.
Trading Standards say shoppers should check goods and their packaging carefully. On toys there should be age warnings and safety symbols such as a CE or UKCA mark. Check for spelling mistakes or poor quality labelling; this usually gives the game away.
They also advise shoppers to buy from reputable sellers, so you can return goods if a problem develops and check the price – be suspicious if it’s a lot cheaper than you would expect.
Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said: “Due to the discovery of these suspected counterfeit toys we want to alert consumers and particularly parents to be extra vigilant.
“If toys are found to be counterfeit they can potentially pose significant dangers to children, including the likes of exposure to certain chemicals and choking hazards due to small parts.”
