The Authentication Forum to tackle counterfeiting concerns in India

Jointly organized by Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) and Messe Frankfurt India (MFI), The Authentication Forum takes place February 8-9 at Taj Mahal Hotel, Man Singh Road.

A full conference program will target segments including FMCG, auto, pharma, healthcare, electronics, pesticides, alcohol and tobacco, amongst others. Highlights from the program include Pradeep Shroff, anti-counterfeiting expert and former ASPA president, providing an overview of counterfeiting in the Indian market; and a session on challenges and problems with counterfeiting across different sectors, to be chaired by Manoj Kochar, International Holograms Manufacturers Association chairman and Holoflex director. The second part of the same session will be chaired by Mukesh Goel, director at Gopsons Papers. Ranesh Bajaj, executive director at Creed Engineers, will discuss anti-counterfeiting strategies in a further session.

Day two will have three sessions to discuss security technologies, case studies from across the world and discussion on the way forward.

Download the full program here.

The conference program is supported by a table-top exhibition where companies will demonstrate technologies and discuss the latest generation of authentication offerings.

One of the steps taken by ASPA to deal with counterfeiting is a mobile and web application, and an SMS facility that enables brand owners and consumers to authenticate their products. At present, various government authorities and brand owners are adopting these facilities. More than five states in India already using security holograms, and other initiatives in the pipeline will be discussed at this forum.

A study by advisory firm KPMG and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) indicates that sales of fake consumer goods are growing faster than the overall consumer products market. ASPA sees that the FMCG packaged industry remains the worst affected, accounting for over 30 percent of business revenue lost to counterfeiting. In India, the consumer goods sectors that are more prone to counterfeit trade are alcohol, consumer packaged goods, personal care products, tobacco, mobiles and mobile components, automobile components, and computer hardware and software. The estimated value of counterfeit and smuggled goods of these, grew from Rs 729 billion (approximately 10.8 billion USD) in 2012 to Rs 1,054 billion (approximately 15.6 billion USD) in 2014, according to a study by consultancy firm KPMG.

For more details about The Authentication Forum, visit www.authenticationforum.com