Belfast Trader fined for selling counterfeit goods

A Belfast Trader selling counterfeit MAC, Bobbi Brown and Chanel eye make-up was today fined a total of £240 plus costs at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr Kevin Higgins, pleaded guilty to four charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

In December 2009, Trading Standards Officers visited Mr Higgins’s premises at the Dairy Farm shopping complex, Stewartstown Road, Belfast, where they found the counterfeit mascaras, eye-liners and eye-shadows on sale.

Damien Doherty of the Trading Standards Service said: “Counterfeit items such as cosmetics are potentially dangerous to consumers. It is unlikely that they will be subject to the same stringent safety tests as legitimate brands. As these goods are to be applied to the skin and to the eye-area, they may pose a serious health risk to consumers.”

Consumers who suspect they may have purchased counterfeit goods, should report it to Consumerline on tel: 0300 123 62 62 / 028 9025 3900 or log onto the Consumerline website at the Consumerline website

Notes for editors:

1. The Trade Marks Act 1994 creates offences for applying trade marks to goods without the permission of the trade mark holder and for supplying and offering to supply those goods.
2. All media enquiries to DETI Press Office: Tel 028 9052 9604 or e-mail pressoffice@detini.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440.