Romania faces surge in counterfeit perfume harming consumers and market

The European cosmetics sector loses about €3 billion a year to counterfeit products, representing roughly 5% of sales and resulting in more than 32,000 job losses across the EU. In Romania the impact is even greater, with counterfeit perfume accounting for an estimated 7.9% of cosmetics sales, well above the European average.

Fake perfumes are sold in packaging that closely mimics genuine brands, often at a fraction of the normal price. Consumers report that the scent fades within 30 minutes, leaving a cheap alcoholic odor. Key indicators of a counterfeit include unusually low price, poor‑quality packaging, mismatched batch codes, and rapid scent loss. These products bypass quality and safety controls, exposing buyers to substandard chemicals and undermining trust in the market.