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Filtered by Reports & Studies — 44 articles

Nicola Sudan

25 March 2026

1 min read

Smithers Declares a New Era of Security Printing

According to a new market report by security printing consultancy firm Smithers, the global security printing sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by accelerating technology, stricter regulation, and shifting geopolitics.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

25 March 2026

4 min read

Counterfeiting in India – A Market Flooded with Fakes

The scale and persistence of counterfeiting in India’s consumer markets has once again been laid bare, with the release of the ‘State of Counterfeiting in India 2025’ report by the Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), in collaboration with CRISIL Intelligence. Launched at TAF Connect 2026, the study provides one of the most comprehensive snapshots to date of how counterfeit goods are infiltrating supply chains, reshaping consumer behaviour, and challenging enforcement efforts across the country.

Countries Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

4 Dec. 2025

8 min read

Protocol Progressing – But Mind the Gaps, Says MOP4 Report

At the recent Fourth Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP4) to the FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products1, the FCTC Secretariat released its latest Protocol implementation status report2, including the status of track and trace programmes. While the report concludes that advances are being made with regard to Protocol implementation, there are still wide gaps remaining. Furthermore, the report cautions readers to tread carefully with regard to its findings, given that it is based on data that is generally quite sparse.

Government Illicit Trade Regulations

4 Dec. 2025

2 min read

2.3% of World Trade is ‘Fake’, New Report Estimates

A new study by the OECD and EU Intellectual Property Office has found that, in 2021, the global trade in counterfeit goods was valued at approximately $467 billion, accounting for 2.3% of total global imports.

Illicit Trade Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

30 Oct. 2025

5 min read

Tracing Tobacco Back to its Roots

A recent scientific review by researchers in China sheds new light on how cutting-edge science can be used to fight the global illicit tobacco trade. The study, carried out by teams at the China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Centre, the Beijing Life Science Academy, and the Key Laboratory of Information Traceability for Agricultural Products at the Ministry of Agriculture, explores how chemical, mineral, and isotopic ‘fingerprinting’ techniques can identify the true geographical origin of tobacco.

Reports & Studies Track and Trace

Chander S Jeena

22 Sept. 2025

2 min read

Indian Authentication and Traceability Market Set to Exceed £1 Billion

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), in partnership with Accenture, has released its first-ever industry report, ‘Indian Traceability & Authentication Industry Study’, which projects the sector will grow at a CAGR of 11.3% to reach £1.3 billion by 2028-29.

Reports & Studies

Chander S Jeena

29 June 2025

3 min read

Global Counterfeit Trade Continues Steady Climb, OECD Claims

A new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the EU Intellectual Property Office, have revealed that, in 2021, global trade in counterfeit goods was valued at approximately $467 billion, or 2.3% of total global imports. This absolute value represents an increase from 2019, when counterfeit trade was at $464 billion, although its relative share decreased compared to 2019 when it accounted for 2.5% of world trade. For imports into the EU, the value of counterfeits was estimated at $117 billion, or 4.7% of total EU imports.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

29 June 2025

3 min read

EU Illicit Cigarettes Surge to Highest Level Since 2015 – Huge Tax Variations not Helping

KPMG has released its latest annual study on illicit cigarettes in Europe, commissioned by Philip Morris Products SA, and covering 38 European markets (including 27 EU member states). The study shows that while overall illicit consumption in Europe grew marginally in 2024 (by 0.2%), consumption in the EU27 soared by 10.8% to reach 9.2% of the total market – the highest level in nearly a decade.

Excise Products Illicit Trade Reports & Studies

Chander S Jeena

4 May 2025

3 min read

WHO Pharma Traceability Survey Highlights Technology as Main Challenge

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2025 report, ‘Country Experiences on Implementation of Traceability for Medical Products’, highlights the uneven progress in global traceability efforts for medicines and vaccines. Drawing on survey responses from WHO member states, the report cites insufficient technological knowledge and capabilities as the biggest barriers to implementing traceability systems.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

17 Dec. 2024

2 min read

Excise Share of Total Taxation Continues to Decline, OECD Reports

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development) has released the 15th edition of ‘Consumption Tax Trends’, a biennial publication presenting comparative data on consumption taxes in OECD member countries. The report highlights the continuing downward trajectory of excise duties as a percentage of total tax revenues in these countries.

Reports & Studies

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Chander S Jeena

23 Sept. 2024

2 min read

Print Versus Digital Report Offers Key Insights for Authentication

Intergraf's recent report 'Comparing Print and Digital Media’, provides an overview of studies comparing print and digital communication tools in the context of sustainability, efficiency, and consumer preference. However, some of the findings of the report are also relevant for authentication.

Reports & Studies

Chander S Jeena

26 Aug. 2024

2 min read

Mechanical and Plant Engineering Study Reveals Lower Piracy but Higher Cybersecurity Challenges

VDMA, the largest network organisation for mechanical engineering in Germany and Europe, has published its new study ‘Industrial Security and Product Piracy 2024’. The study reveals a significant decrease in the number of companies affected by product and brand piracy, but highlights the increasing need for measures against digital threats.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

30 June 2024

1 min read

Reconnaissance Reference Glossary

Reconnaissance International has unveiled a new industry reference glossary, containing over 700 sector-specific terms and definitions.

Reports & Studies

Sarah Smiley and Michael Eads

18 Dec. 2023

10 min read

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 3

This article is the third in a series on the topic of illicit trade and its relationship with free trade zones (FTZs). It is intended to foster consideration and discussion for secure traceability solutions, building upon the analyses provided in the articles published in this newsletter in March and August 2023.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

26 Sept. 2023

3 min read

Smartphone Report Released

Reconnaissance International is pleased to announce the release of its new publication – ‘Smartphones for Authentication’ – the only publication of its kind.

Authentication Reports & Studies Technology & Systems

Sarah Smiley and Michael Eads

23 Aug. 2023

9 min read

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 2

This article is second in a series that aims to educate readers on the dynamic nature of free trade zones (FTZs) and key issues that warrant addressing, and offers a means by which suppliers of secure track and trace technologies may find opportunities in this potential new market. The first article can be found in the March 2023 issue of this newsletter.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

30 July 2023

5 min read

WCO Reports the Current State of Illicit Tobacco and Alcohol Seizures

Established in 1952, the WCO (World Customs Organisation) is the global centre of customs experience, representing 185 customs administrations that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade.

Reports & Studies

Michael Eads and Sarah Smiley

30 March 2023

10 min read

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 1

This article represents the first in a series that aims to educate readers on the dynamic nature of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and key issues that need addressing, as well as, ideally, offer a means by which suppliers of secure track and trace technologies can address this heretofore untapped potential new market.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

26 March 2023

3 min read

One-of-a-Kind Report on Smartphones for Authentication

In September this year, Reconnaissance International will release a new publication – ‘Smartphones for Authentication’ – the only publication of its kind.

Authentication Reports & Studies Technology & Systems

Ian Lancaster

2 Feb. 2023

5 min read

‘Brand Protection and the Global Risk of Product Counterfeits’: Flawed but Useful

There are very few books to guide brand owners on their brand protection (BP) programmes, so ‘Brand Protection and the Global Risk of Product Counterfeits’ is a useful addition to that small library.

Reports & Studies

Latest News

Smithers Declares a New Era of Security Printing

Counterfeiting in India – A Market Flooded with Fakes

Protocol Progressing – But Mind the Gaps, Says MOP4 Report

2.3% of World Trade is ‘Fake’, New Report Estimates

Tracing Tobacco Back to its Roots

Indian Authentication and Traceability Market Set to Exceed £1 Billion

Global Counterfeit Trade Continues Steady Climb, OECD Claims

EU Illicit Cigarettes Surge to Highest Level Since 2015 – Huge Tax Variations not Helping

WHO Pharma Traceability Survey Highlights Technology as Main Challenge

Excise Share of Total Taxation Continues to Decline, OECD Reports

Print Versus Digital Report Offers Key Insights for Authentication

Mechanical and Plant Engineering Study Reveals Lower Piracy but Higher Cybersecurity Challenges

Reconnaissance Reference Glossary

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 3

Smartphone Report Released

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 2

WCO Reports the Current State of Illicit Tobacco and Alcohol Seizures

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 1

One-of-a-Kind Report on Smartphones for Authentication

‘Brand Protection and the Global Risk of Product Counterfeits’: Flawed but Useful

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