Technology Working Group
There are many anti-counterfeit technologies available to manufacturers and brand owners, ranging from the very simple but effective to the highly sophisticated and extremely secure. The majority can be implemented on one or more of the packaging components, but some features can even be applied at the product level.
The purpose of an anti-counterfeit feature is primarily to enable the authentication of an item. The second function may be to act as a deterrent to anyone considering counterfeiting a product based on the difficulty or cost involved set against the likelihood of detection, and therefore prosecution. It must be stressed that anti-counterfeit features on packaging components provide no assurance as to the authenticity of the contents, which may have been substituted or adulterated. Anti-counterfeit features alone do not reduce counterfeits, but are on the one hand designed to make them easier to detect and on the other hand increase the hurdle for potential counterfeits.
The Technology Working Group aims to:
- assess (including piloting when feasible and necessary) technologies to prevent, deter, or help to detect counterfeit products taking into account:
- cost,
- scalability,
- specific country needs and situations,
- feasibility,
- regulatory implications;
- facilitate exchange of information on technologies and their implementation;
- disseminate information and recommendations on the merits and limitations of technologies
Resources
For comments:
:: A guide to Anti‐counterfeit Technologies for the Protection of Medicines, can be requested from the Secretariat.