Illegal and presenting a “danger” for health and the environment, counterfeits flourish on the web on the occasion of Black Friday, which has already stopped in some shops, alert in particular on Monday the Union of manufacturers (Unifab), a French association engaged in the fight against the trade of these products. “Attractive offers and extraordinary promotions constitute a godsend for unscrupulous sellers who do not hesitate to mislead consumers by selling them counterfeits”, warns in a press release Unifab.

These counterfeit items are “synonymous with dangers to health and safety, the environment, as well as the economy,” the statement continued. In general non-recyclable, counterfeits present in particular a “disastrous” carbon footprint linked to their transport from the countries of production – in particular China – and to the “multiplication of journeys to cover their tracks”.

“Their manufacture is the source of massive releases of toxic products into nature,” adds the association. The trade in counterfeits benefits “criminality and organized mafia networks”. This represents “1.34 billion euros in lost taxes and 38,000 jobs lost each year” only for France.

“At a time when 80% of young Europeans feel concerned about the preservation of the planet (according to a study carried out by the ObSoCo institute for Greenpeace France in February 2022, editor’s note), buying counterfeit products amounts to endorsing what the “We condemn and jeopardize the common efforts that we must make to protect the environment,” said Christian Peugeot, president of Unifab, quoted in the press release.

An American tradition that takes root in France, Black Friday leads to a peak in consumption each year during the last weekend of November with promotions extending at least until the following Monday, dubbed “Cyber ​​Monday”.