Celebrating World Consumer Right Day, Authentication Solutions Providers’ Association (ASPA) is conducting a Brand Protection Awareness Seminar on March 13, 2020 at The Park, Kolkata. Fighting counterfeiting is an important aspect in socio-economic development of our country, industry and consumers at large. There is a need to strengthen the authentication eco-systems in the country empowering consumers, industry and regulators at large in fighting counterfeiting. The seminar will bring together industry leaders and government representatives on the same platform to share insights of anti-counterfeiting and traceability developments and regulations in the country. Atri Bhattacharya, IAS principal secretary, Consumer affairs department, Government of West Bengal will be the chief guest for the brand protection seminar.
As counterfeit products across various sectors in India are causing losses of over INR 1 trillion every year to the government, the involvement of all stakeholders is extremely crucial in fighting this menace. The number of counterfeit cases have increased by nearly 15 per cent in the January-October period in 2019 as compared to 2018, according to a recent study by ASPA. The top ten sectors with the highest number of counterfeit cases in 2018 and 2019 were currency, liquor, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care, documents, tobacco, automotive, construction material and chemicals.
Considering these circumstances, ASPA under its campaign “Make Sure India” is creating an awareness to educate and enable brand owners, consumers, media and stakeholders towards counterfeiting and importance of authentication solutions in fighting this problem. Seminar participants will learn about the latest technologies and good business practice of authentication providers who are already protecting more than 15,000 brands globally. They will share insights of counterfeiting, anti-counterfeiting landscape and the recent regulations and solutions in fighting the fakes. ASPA’s mission is to help the brand owners eradicate the scourge of counterfeiting.
Respected and accomplished business leaders, policy makers and industry experts such as Manoj Kochar, chair-eastern region, ASPA and former president, IHMA, A. Ramkishan, deputy drugs controller (India), CDSCO, east zone, Kolkata, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Government of India, Ankur Chaturvedi, head of international supply chain and projects, Emami, Kolkata, Shamim Alam,business manager, labels and packaging, HP, Harish Agarwal, partner, Ernst & Young and Chander S. Jeena, secretary, ASAP will be speaking at the event.