Each year, more than 1,000 tonnes of counterfeit products are discovered and seized by officials of the General Department of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression (CCF). The counterfeit products are usually consumer goods, including food and beverage products that can affect the health of consumers.

In order to prevent the circulation of these products in the market – in addition to regular law enforcement – CCF officials have conducted a series of publicity campaigns on the effects of the use of counterfeit products to traders and consumers.

The promotion was made in many forms, such as including preparing articles or short video clips which were shared through social media and the official website of the department, workshops that raised the awareness of traders, manufacturers and the public, and outreach programmes by officials in the shopping malls, supermarkets and markets of Cambodia.

Phan Oun, CCF director general, said that raising public awareness and cracking down on counterfeit products are important roles and responsibilities assigned to the CCF.

He said the production, storage and circulation of counterfeit products was prohibited by the law on quality control, safety of products and services, the law on consumer protection and the law on food safety.

The crackdown on various targets also included education and dissemination of laws and regulations to businesses that are involved in production so they understood the contents of the laws. To protect consumers, they must follow the food safety laws, he added.

“Through our education and outreach programmes, the department has observed that traders, producers and consumers are becoming more aware of the laws and of the implications of producing and distributing counterfeit products,” he said.

Despite this publicity, some residents claimed that the outreach education seems to be limited.

Sun Chheko, a resident of Phleung Cheh Rotes commune, Kamboul district, Phnom Penh, said that the campaign seemed well put together, but was not yet widespread. He would like to see more broadcasts through public and private television channels during hours when there are a lot of viewers, as well as on the various popular social networks. Billboards should also be displayed on the streets, because people travelling by may be interested to see them.

“The government has successfully stopped the widespread promotion of alcoholic products. They should also educate people about fake goods, so they will know how to identify them and be aware of the dangers of using them,” he said.

Chheko expressed his concerns about the health problems that substandard counterfeit products could cause, especially products that were used daily on the body.

“I think it could be harmful to our health if consumer goods like soap and toothpaste do not adhere to legal requirements. They may affect our skin,” he added.

As a consumer, Chheko wants authorities to notify the community as soon as possible when a new product is imported or released onto the market.

“Measures should be taken to ensure that every new product is approved by the authorities,” he said.

Em Srey Touch is a vendor along a road in Kampong Seila commune, Sihanoukville. She said she had bought fake milk from a man who imported it. She had lost 400,000 riel when it spoiled. After this financial loss, she insisted on better law enforcement to prevent the circulation of counterfeit products.

“I cannot tell which products is real or fake – I only knew it after I bought and sold it and it spoiled. Like the real goods I usually buy, the labels are written in foreign languages that I cannot read. After I had been selling the milk for three days, my customers said that the milk was spoiled. When I opened a can to check, there was a terrible smell. I regret losing the money I tried to save,” she said.

She said that since buying the counterfeit goods had cost her money, she had stopped buying from mobile vendors because she was afraid of being ripped off again.

Sok Pheak, a resident of Tbong Khmum province, said he did not want counterfeit products to be imported or distributed in the Cambodian market because he does not have the knowledge to check their quality.

He said he knows is that the expensive goods are usually assumed to be of high quality. As a consumer, Pheak wants the products distributed to be checked and approved, cheap or expensive.

“If we spend our money on counterfeit goods, they may turn out to be sub-par, and may even affect our health,” he said.

He added that widespread promotion of the dangers of counterfeit products is a necessity. Most people are ignorant of the problem, and are unlikely to become aware if there is little to no publicity.

“I want information about these products to be widely advertised. Most people only know how to buy and use products,” he said.

Oun pointed out that counterfeit products can have especially detrimental effects on the health of consumers if they are food or medicine.

The production and circulation of counterfeit products also undermines honest competition, he added.

He said that in order to prevent this, the CCF will increase inspections and be more active investigating any suspicion of fake goods being produced, stored or circulated. At the same time, they will also increase their educational campaigns.

He said that manufacturers of counterfeit goods generally try to make their products look like the real thing, which made it difficult for buyers to distinguish between them. However, there are often some special signs that brand owners and the authorities can use to spot fakes.

“As the national economy grows, so does the production of goods. Competition over quality and price is key to gaining market share. Under these circumstances, some businesses explore all possible ways to produce counterfeit goods to increase their share,” he said.

He added that there were still some challenges in dealing with counterfeit products. Some laws and regulations were insufficient, as is consumers understanding of them, so the CCF would continue to disseminate them.

A July 7 seminar was held to do just that in Battambang town.

Oun said the workshop provided an opportunity to establish user associations and promote consumer rights. He hoped that the attendees would become smart consumers. Competition laws will build a culture of fairness he said. The laws surrounding food safety were especially important and required the participation of all stakeholders at every stage of production, he added.

He called on all businessmen and women in Cambodia to trade honestly, as this would increase consumer confidence and protect the health and economic interests of the public.

“Please report any information you have about the production, storage or sale of counterfeit products to the CCF and we will take swift action,” he added.