LV fined over missing samples on handbags

By Chen Qian  |   2008-6-19  |     ONLINE EDITION

LUXURY products maker Louis Vuitton was fined 460,000 yuan (US$66,667) and had 290,000 yuan confiscated for selling products in Hangzhou that fail to meet standards, Xinhuanet.com reported today.

The city's Administration of Industry and Commerce said yesterday it ordered the store to stop selling sub-standard products and make corrections within 15 days, according to the report.

The store in Hangzhou Tower Shopping mall was found selling three types of handbags without a small sample leather attached to each bag during a spot check on April 18.

According to the Standard & Quality of Light Industry, bags which fail to meet either load, fittings, zipper or appearance requirements are judged to be sub standard. Since the bags lacked the sample leather, they failed appearance requirements.

Louis Vuitton said it agreed with the law and its punishment. It will make corrections as soon as possible and deal with customer complaints, the report said.

Shanghai Morning Post also reported today that Zhao Xiaojing, director of communications for Louis Vuitton China said the China headquarters has already applied for the sample leather from its France headquarters. All stores in China will add the sample leather on the bag if necessary, the report said.

Zhao also told the newspaper the administration will return all 556 bags seized during the check.