During the Christmas campaign against counterfeit toys and products that fail to meet minimum safety standards for children, Civil Guard units intensified their patrols across Valencia. The Armed Institute of Valencia and Sagunt reported the capture of two Mali-based agents and Border Patrols who seized a total of 10,696 toys within the La Cova de Manises industrial area in Valencia. The confiscated goods were found to fall short of European safety directives and were taken out of circulation to protect consumers.
Two individuals of Chinese origin are under investigation for alleged industrial property violations. In total, authorities logged 14 formal complaints related to additional breaches. The case references Royal Decree 1205/2011 governing toy safety, along with four other legal measures tied to health regulations about electronic cigarettes sold in unauthorized locations, as stated by Benemérita authorities.
Across multiple Manises facilities, Civil Guard teams conducted seven separate searches as part of the Christmas compliance operation. In six of these locations, officers recovered the 10,696 toys, with an approximate value of 5,000 euros. The seizures underscore the focus on consumer protection during the holiday season and the need for proper labeling and documentation in toy distribution.
Corporal Juan Fernández de la Fuente announced that every children’s toy must display the CE marking, a hallmark indicating conformity with European standards for safety, labeling, and performance within the single market. In addition, safety instructions should be presented in Spanish. Some of the seized items were lacking the CE mark or bore the label “China Export” instead of the legitimate European Community initials, signaling non-compliance and potential consumer risk.
labeling
The principal violations identified relate to toy safety and production practices. Specifically, irregularities appeared in labeling and packaging, with numerous items associated with Spanish importers, distributors, and manufacturers. The root issues included missing critical data and incomplete or non-existent instructions, often not provided in Spanish. These gaps raise concerns about proper usage, warnings, and age-appropriate recommendations for young buyers.
The Civil Guard reminds the public that the ultimate responsibility for toy safety within the European Union lies with manufacturers, importers, and distributors who place products on the market. Compliance requires accurate labeling, verifiable sourcing, and clear user guidance to protect children and deter unsafe merchandise. The operation was conducted with the participation of the Civil Guard of Valencia, Mali, and Border Patrol units, illustrating a coordinated effort to reinforce consumer protection during peak shopping periods. The authorities emphasize vigilance in screening for non-compliant items and in enforcing existing European and national regulations to maintain safe and legally compliant toy products on store shelves.