Manchester shopkeeper slapped with hefty fines for flogging hundreds of ‘potentially dangerous’ fake poppies

Due to an early warning from a member of the public in April 2022, Manchester City CouncilThe Trading Standards team was alerted that a consignment of toys imported by Miku Accessories and Gifts Limited had arrived in the country and, choosing to act on the information provided, carried out an inspection at a premises on Derby Street, just outside the city. Manchester downtown.

During this inspection, samples were taken from a number of items on sale.

Items seized by the Council’s trading standards team during the inspection included 422 ‘poppy’ pins – which were confirmed to be fake and not authorized by the Royal British Legion – 110 jewellery, 200 light-up toys, 136 suspected counterfeit ‘Marvel’ . “, and 73 other toys that didn’t all have the correct labeling.

“Dangerous levels” of heavy metals were also found in samples of jewelery seized and inspected, while problems were also detected with light-up toys, while other items were found to be too small and, through therefore, they represented a potential suffocation hazard.

When interviewed by Trading Standards, the company’s director – who was named as Ling Bin Li, 49, from Sale – stated that the items were imported from China and based on “verbal confirmation that the goods comply with the laws” of the country to which they are being shipped.

He also said the items are tested on his family members to “ensure their safety” before being sold to the public.

After claiming ignorance of the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations, as well as the Toy Safety Regulations and the Trade Marks Act, before a hearing at Tameside Crown Court last Monday (3 June 2024), Mr Li pleaded guilty to offenses under the REACH Act, the Toy Safety Regulations and the Trade Marks Act.

Mr Li accepted he did not carry out due diligence on the products being sold and failed to check the relevant regulations, according to Manchester City Council.

Because of this, he was later FINED £2,000 as well as a victim surcharge of £190 and costs of £2,000, while Business ordered to pay a £6,000 fine, £190 victim surcharge and £2,340 victim surcharge.

A confiscation order has also been issued for items seized by Trading Standards, the Council confirmed.

Councilor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is executive member for Vibrant Neighborhoods at Manchester City Council, says she believes Mr Li’s fines should “send a strong message” to other traders who believe they can “slip the law” and “ignore regulations of safety”. .

“We are fully committed to ensuring that the people of Manchester can shop safely,” added Cllr Igbon.

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“The work of our trading standards team is invaluable in ensuring that dangerous products do not end up in the homes of ordinary people.”

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