The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), a non-profit organization advocating against counterfeiting and illicit trade, has elected a new Governing Body. Under the new leadership, the think tank has shared a critical insight on the issue of counterfeiting, which is depriving India of precious revenue. ASPA’s New Governing Body says there is an immediate need for India to “prioritize conscious consumerism to curb the leak of precious tax revenue for the betterment of the Indian economy.”
Manoj Kochar, Holoflex Limited, has been voted as the president of ASPA. Ankit Gupta, Holostik India, has been given the responsibility of vice-president. Luv Shriram, Shriram Veritech, is the general secretary and treasurer. The names of the Governing Body members are Saurabh Agarwal, Avery Dennison (India); Vikas Jain, ACVISS Technologies; and Ex-Officio: Nakul Pasricha, PharmaSecure. The co-opted Governing Body Members are Gaurav Sathaye, United Speciality, and Ranesh Bajaj, Vinsak India.
ASPA is supporting the PACK.Nxt conference, being organized by IPPStar, Packaging South Asia and Threefold at the Lalit Mumbai on 18 January 2024.
Sharing insights during the meeting, Manoj Kochar said, “Counterfeiting has and continues to be a very serious hindrance that has been slowing down the growth of India’s Economy. Unfortunately, neither of the stakeholders be it the government, industry associations, businesses or the consumers, give the matter the importance it deserves. Counterfeiting is divided into deceptive and non-deceptive markets. In simpler terms, some consumers buy a fake under the impression that it is an original (deceptive) and some consumers buy the product knowing that it is a fake (non-deceptive). In a recent survey done by us, it was found that an astonishing 31% of people willingly buy a fake product (ASPA Report to the Nation). This non-deceptive market fuels the counterfeit market and encourages criminals to produce and sell more such harmful and inferior fake products. It is extremely critical to nurture and motivate conscious consumerism plus active participation in the authentication process. Without inclusion of the consumers, it is impossible to fight against fakes.”
Ankit Gupta said, “Circulation of counterfeit products does not only have financial but also social repercussions. It tarnishes the reputation of the country and reduces the faith of consumers. It is disheartening to see that consumers have lost so much faith that they are okay with buying a product even when they know that it is fake and it could be harmful to them. Almost 89% of consumers acknowledge the presence of fake products in the market, even after discovering a fake product consumers take no or negligible action against it. The survey revealed that the top categories in which consumers come across fakes are apparel (31%), FMCG (28%), automotive (25%), pharmaceuticals (20%), consumer durables (17%), and agrochemicals (16%).
Awareness is needed about the dangers associated with buying a fake product. They need to know that they might be spending less money but they might be making a very costly mistake. In critical products such as pharmaceuticals, food, alcohol, etc, this mistake could cost lives. Products which can have a direct impact on human health on consumption such as FMCG and pharmaceuticals are among the top five categories that have a high percentage of fakes.”
The menace of counterfeit, substandard and falsified products is rooted deep into the ecosystem and auctioning a strategic plan to counter it cannot be pushed further. It is an immediate need of the Indian economy, which can put the saved revenue into effective use. By encouraging conscious consumerism, the whole ecosystem can be pushed towards a positive change.
25th-anniversary message
In a separate message on ASPA on celebrating 25 years of advancing authentication & traceability, Manoj Kochar said, “As we approached the milestone of our 25th anniversary on 1 December 2023, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I reflect on ASPA’s remarkable journey.”
“What started as the Hologram Manufacturers Association of India (HOMAI) in 1998 has now grown into a multi-technology organization with members from all around the globe. The transition to ASPA in 2014 proved that the members of HoMAI were indeed an entrepreneurial lot who were nimble and willing to embrace new technologies to keep the counterfeiters at bay. Over the years, our members have made a significant contribution to the development of authentication and traceability technologies. ASPA has today evolved into a beacon of trust and excellence in combating counterfeiting and upholding ethical standards,” Kochar said.
Over the past 25 years, Kochar said, ASPA has remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering an environment of integrity, innovation, and collaboration. “Together, we have tirelessly advocated for the advancement of authentication and traceability ecosystems, relentlessly working against illicit economies and counterfeit threats. Today, with 78 member companies, ASPA is a testament to the collective dedication of each member in championing best practices and cutting-edge technologies.”
“As we step into our 25th year, let us not only celebrate our achievements but also reaffirm our dedication to the cause of ASPA. Let us continue to strive for excellence, embrace innovation, and collaborate in our shared mission to safeguard people against counterfeiting. I extend my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to every member, partner, and stakeholder who has been an integral part of ASPA’s journey. Your unwavering support and commitment have been instrumental in our success. Here’s to the next chapter, where we will continue to lead, innovate, and make a profound impact on the global authentication and traceability landscape,” Kochar said.
