T-shirts, mugs, key rings, hats, bags, bath towels… The shelves of this official boutique JO Paris 2024 full of memories. Customers are looking for something they can take home.
It remains the undisputed star that attracts all eyes mascot. This triangular plush toy is all red with bulging eyes and a smiling mouth, instantly attracting the attention of visitors. Everyone knows him. Available in different sizes, as small, medium or large as your hand, it costs between 17 and 35 euros. But the cute toy craze is not escaping the vigilance of inspectors from the Directorate General of Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud (DGCCRF).
This Wednesday morning, they did a “staple” on four official Games stores. Purpose: to protect consumers and to guarantee the safety of industrial products to check the conformity of sold (non-food) products. This includes checking out the most purchased items during the Games.
“Checked every day”
DGCCRF explains: “We target anything that may come into contact with food, such as dishes, cups, plates, glasses… Also key rings, soft toys, make-up, clothing, jewelry, which may contain substances harmful to the health of consumers.” .
About 120 of the 3,000 agents have already been mobilized by the fraud inspectorate. derivative products. Since the beginning of the year, the state administration has visited 2,600 enterprises producing these products.
Check-ins are available at official Games stores, as well as souvenir shops, venues and online. “The goal for 2024 is to carry out 3,000 checks in Paris, checking all kinds of souvenir shops, both official and unofficial. There will be inspections every day during the Games,” says lead inspector Kevin Michaut, who began his mission with the mascot of the Games.
Make sure there is no risk of suffocation
“The first instinct is to see if the prices are displayed,” the investigator said. Security and then labeling is also part of the inspection process, especially having the name and address of the importer or manufacturer. “If there is any doubt about the part, we need to know the tracking of the product to contact the person responsible,” he said. During the DGCCRF visit, a number of tests were conducted, especially on plush toys. “For example, you need to check if any parts are coming off,” the inspector checked, pulling the plush toy tightly.
“We also check with a small cone that simulates a child’s trachea, if the mascot’s legs do not pose a choking risk for the little ones,” said Soufiane Benaissa, inspector of the industrial center of the DGCCRF. .
There have already been 900 warnings and about 150 requests for compliance. Particular emphasis was placed on upstream controls targeting those responsible for first-to-market. This is where product monitoring is most effective.
Among the inspected enterprises, 40% presented more or less serious anomalies. “These include, for example, notices not in French, unsubstantiated claims, non-compliance with regulations…” the DGCCRF lists. These have led to various warnings of a criminal or administrative nature depending on the case. Among the mentioned violations, we, for example, forgeries “The logos have been usurped,” says Kevin Michaut of the Paris 2024 postcards.
As for dangerous products, everything is listed on the site Signal Conso. Facilities that pose a high risk are sold or seized by the DGCCRF. Penalties for deceptive marketing practices can range from fines to imprisonment.