On 11-12 December, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) co-organised a two-day conference titled “Building on Lies: The Fight against Fake Construction Materials and Equipment”. Held at EUIPO premises in Alicante, Spain, the event brought together around 50 participants from customs, police, market surveillance authorities, international organisations and industry stakeholders across EU member states and beyond.
The conference provided a platform for attendees to exchange information, share best practices and discuss challenges as well as current and emerging trends in intellectual property (IP) fraud within the construction sector.
Participants explored new approaches to tackling the trade in counterfeit construction materials and equipment, which pose significant risks to safety and the economy. A specific focus was also put on e-commerce fraud and ways to investigate and combat this increasing threat more effectively.
“These illicit goods often fail to meet necessary quality and safety standards. In addition to endangering lives, the use of counterfeit materials undermines legitimate businesses and lead to a loss of revenue, which negatively affects funding for innovation, job creation and economic growth. Effective cooperation, intelligence sharing and awareness are essential to mitigate these risks and protect both the construction sector and the consumers it serves,” said Ville Itälä, Director-General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
Construction materials and equipment pose significant safety risks, including structural failures, fires, and electrical shocks. Despite strict legislation and regulations designed to ensure the safety and compliance of such products, counterfeiters often prioritise profit over adherence to these standards. They produce substandard goods as cheaply as possible, often in disregard of safety and environmental requirements and with potentially detrimental effects.
The fight against infringement of intellectual property in the construction sector is particularly challenging due to the complexity of supply chains and the sophisticated methods counterfeiters use to disguise fake products. Many right holders in the industry have fallen victim of this type of fraud and shared their experience during the conference.
This event marks a significant step toward in fostering greater cooperation and knowledge sharing among key shareholders to combat counterfeit goods. OLAF and EUIPO remain committed to strengthening enforcement efforts in this area.
Background
The construction sector is a cornerstone of the EU economy, contributing nearly 5,5% of the EU’s GDP and providing employment to around 25 million people across more than 5 million companies. According to the Council, the construction products industry alone consists of 430,000 companies, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises, generating a total turnover of €800 billion.