Counterfeit Toy Investigations Rise: What the Latest Trading Standards Survey Means for Brand Owners

The latest Trading Standards Survey from the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) highlights a significant rise in counterfeit toy investigations, putting unsafe and potentially dangerous fake toys firmly on the enforcement agenda.

The survey, covering April 2025 to March 2026, received responses from 142 of 189 local authorities across the UK. While cigarettes and tobacco remain the most commonly investigated counterfeit goods, followed by clothing, toys have seen a striking increase in enforcement activity. 67% of responding local authorities reported investigating counterfeit toys, compared with just 21% in the previous year's survey.