Encouraged by SHOP SAFE Act, Apparel and Footwear Industry Points to Need for More Work on Counterfeits
March 3, 2020 | WASHINGTON, D.C.
Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, expressed encouragement today following the introduction of the SHOP SAFE Act of 2020 in the House of Representatives. Pointing to the continual need for improvement in the fight against counterfeit products on third-party marketplaces, Lamar emphasized the dangers that illicit products place on American consumers and the need for further work.
“The SHOP SAFE Act is the latest in a string of proactive efforts by Congress and the administration to address the growing counterfeit problem,” said
Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. “Unless we are continuously improving in the fight against counterfeits, we are falling behind. While many online marketplaces are directing increased resources towards this issue, much more needs to be done to prevent counterfeit products from unknowingly entering the homes of American families.
“This is about more than lost sales and brand reputation. Counterfeit products expose consumers to a range of potential product safety hazards. This is about the safety of your family, whether that means ensuring the pajamas you buy for your child meet flammability standards or that the protective footwear you wear on the job site works as intended. As such, we believe this should be a top priority for e-commerce platforms going forward.”
AAFA’s most recent submissions in support of efforts to fight the spread of counterfeit products are available
here.