National Award For RCT Trading Standards!

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards Team has won a national award in recognition of its outstanding work to stop the sale of fake designer and brand name goods on social media. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Some 70 local authorities took part in the recent Operation Jasper, a national initiative to target those who sell counterfeit goods on line, endangering consumers and also affecting the businesses of those who work hard to sell genuine goods. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

When it came to recognising and commending the professionalism and dedication shown during the operation, judges at the National Market Group unanimously and immediately chose Rhondda Cynon Taf. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Operation Jasper was organised by the National Market Group, which coordinates and drives the efforts of agencies across the UK to form an effective response to those who sell counterfeit and pirated goods at car boot sales, markets and online. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Operation Jasper was in addition to the daily work undertaken by RCT Trading Standards to protect the public. It saw officers execute 17 search warrants at addresses and seize counterfeit items, including clothes, trainers, watches, perfume and cigarettes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During the Operation, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Trading Standards sent a clear message to those who use their Facebook profiles and pages to sell fake designer goods and potentially-dangerous brand name items such as electric toothbrushes and cigarettes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Not only does the sale of counterfeit goods affect consumers, who pay money for items they think are the real deal, which turn out to be fake, it also undermines the efforts of local businesses that work hard to sell good-quality, genuine designer goods. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Wellbeing and Communities, said: “Everyone at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is extremely proud that our Trading Standards team has secured a national commendation for its work – it is well deserved. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are committed to protecting our communities and businesses from the actions of those who sell poor quality fake designer items. This used to be a big issue at car boot sales and markets but, increasing, it is social media that is being used to sell such items. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Trading Standards have embraced the change and worked hard to ensure offenders are still dealt with – even if they have moved their salesroom from the streets and pubs to online. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Our residents have a right to get the quality and product they are paying for and must be protected from the potential danger of fake brand name electronics and cigarettes, which do not meet the safety and labelling guidelines in place. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As has already been made clear, many people think the big designer names can afford to take a hit on their profits, but this is not just about them, this is about protecting the many independent shops and boutiques across Rhondda Cynon Taf, which employ local people, that sell branded items.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Graham Mogg, Chief Executive of the National Market Group added: “I have worked with the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Trading Standards team for many years and have always been impressed with their diligence, passion and professionalism in tackling internet crime and dealing with counterfeiters and pirates that seek to undermine legitimate businesses and harm the consumer, whether that be through fraud or the sale of harmful products.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​