THE ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TECHNOLOGY CAN BRING TOGETHER GOVERNMENTS, ENTERPRISES, AND CONSUMERS TO FIGHT COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS
Cosmetics, Food, and Pharmaceuticals are the sectors most affected by counterfeits.
Antares Vision Group is fully aware that counterfeiting is a widespread issue with immense implications, and safeguarding people and products has long been at the core of our operations.
With this in mind, AV Group Chairman and Co-CEO Emidio Zorzella addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on September 25, drawing attention to the battle against counterfeiting and the dissemination of harmful substances at the Sub-Saharan Africa Business Investment Summit.
The losses are significant, explained Zorzella: “They affect the turnover of companies and production sectors, investments, and tax revenues. The damage caused to the image of ‘Made in Italy’ and the social impact is also noteworthy, with the loss of jobs being a consequence of parallel markets. When products within the pharma, food and beverage, and cosmetic sectors are falsified, the impact is even more severe. In these instances, there is a direct risk to the safety and health of consumers, as well as the environment. It is essential to take precautions to prevent such occurrences”.
COUNTERFEITING IN PHARMA
According to the World Health Organization (2018), 1 million patients die annually due to non-authentic medicines. Furthermore, the market for illegal drugs is valued at USD 200 billion (National Institutes of Health, 2022). The trade-in of counterfeit medications is not the only issue, with misappropriation occurring within the supply chain, even in healthcare settings.
COUNTERFEITING IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Food counterfeiting is also a significant issue. Globally, the value of “Italian Sounding” — the act of exploiting the reputation and allure of Italian agri-food products — has reached a staggering EUR 120 billion, with over EUR 40 billion originating from the United States. According to FederAlimentare (the Italian Food and Drink Industry Federation), counterfeiting occurs when registered trademarks, designations of origin (DOP, DOC, DOCG, IGP, etc.), logos, designs, copyrights, or the product itself are violated, often resulting in damaging consequences.
COUNTERFEITING IN COSMETICS
Cosmetics are a popular target for counterfeiting. The Rome Business School reports that fake cosmetics products lead to an annual loss of EUR 935 million in Italy alone. Additionally, Censis reports that 5.4 million households in Italy (21 percent of total households) have knowingly purchased counterfeit cosmetic products, including perfumes, with a 12.9 percent purchase rate.
THE NEED TO ADOPT AN ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TECHNOLOGY IS CLEAR
“Governments worldwide are recognizing the effects of counterfeiting”, Zorzella told the UN audience, “and Antares Vision Group is dedicated to creating solutions that prevent and obstruct the phenomenon. It’s a significant challenge, as supply chains are now globally interconnected, and the repercussions extend to everyday life, even if the crime occurs on the other side of the planet”.
Antares Vision Group’s activity is summarised in “three S’s” for a better future:
- Security,
- Synergy,
- Simplicity.
Our mission centres around technology for an integrated vision that benefits people, governments, and the planet.
“Integration, intelligence, and innovation are crucial drivers in this context”, Zorzella explained. “Physical and digital worlds are becoming more integrated, leading to the creation of a data trail that serves as the basis for decision-making, planning, and monitoring of production outcomes. Each of us can contribute to a better future with sustainable and conscious consumption choices”.
Zorzella concluded, emphasising how technology can “support the value of a supply chain, guaranteeing the quality of products and the visibility of the steps along the supply chain thanks to traceability and integrated data management, created and collected by each actor in the supply chain.
Antares Vision Group’s Trustparency® means creating transparency in the supply chain to provide more information on products and generate consumer trust, with technology at the service and collaboration between all the actors involved under the banner of honesty and respect for a fair distribution of value and reduction of waste”.