(Naturally North Coast & Glens CIC)

Eoin McConnell from Naturally North Coast and Glens CIC signs the Real Deal Charter alongside Damien Doherty, Chief Inspector of the Trading Standards Service and Shauna McFall, Market Manager. 

Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market is the latest market in Northern Ireland to sign the Real Deal Charter with their local Trading Standards Service. 

Welcoming the development, Shauna McFall of Naturally North Coast & Glens Community Interest Company, said: “Our Trader Product Standards and Code of Conduct naturally meet the requirements of the Real Deal Charter, so this is a fantastic additional standard for safe, fair markets. It gives shoppers that extra confidence that goods purchased are safe and legal. As well as counterfeit items, the Real Deal charter covers all laws and regulations that would be enforced by trading standards including copyright infringements, weights and measures and product safety.”

Damien Doherty, Chief Inspector of the Trading Standards Service, added: “Fake items may appear attractive, but consumers should be aware of the wider implications and the risks to their own safety. There has been a worrying increase in potentially dangerous fake goods being sold to consumers such as electrical equipment, toys, personal care products and medicines. 

“Counterfeit goods are big business, a drain on the economy, cost jobs and are closely linked to organised crime both in Northern Ireland and abroad. Counterfeiting and piracy also cause considerable damage to legitimate businesses.”

Continue reading →