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1,100 articles online

All Advanced Materials Associations Authentication Brand Protection Case Studies Companies Consumer & Industrial Products Countries Covert & Forensic Security Document Protection Editorials Enforcement & Surveillance Events Excise Products Free Government Illicit Trade Interviews News Overt Security Regulations Reports & Studies Standards Strategies Sustainability Tax & Revenue Tax Stamps Technology & Systems Tenders Track and Trace

Chander S Jeena

18 May 2025

7 min read

Meet Crane Authentication – One Brand, One Vision

Crane NXT recently announced the launch of a new brand identity: Crane Authentication. This unified brand consolidates the strengths of recently acquired De La Rue Authentication, the Smart Packaging assets of TruTag Technologies, and OpSec Security (purchased last year). Crane NXT now comprises two segments: Security and Authentication Technologies (which includes Crane Currency and Crane Authentication) and Crane Payment Innovations.

Free Free

Nicola Sudan

12 May 2025

4 min read

Interview with Incoming ITSA Chair Tim McIntyre

This month, we sat down with the new Chair of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), Tim McIntyre of Canadian Bank Note Company Limited, to discuss his background, his thoughts on the industry and how he plans to support an evolution of ITSA to take a more agile and proactive leadership position within the field of tax stamps and traceability.

Associations Free Interviews Free

Chander S Jeena

11 May 2025

1 min read

Has Holography Lost Its WOW? We Need Your Input!

Holographic features have long played a vital role in optical document security—grabbing attention, signaling authenticity, and giving visual verification. But as design trends shift and digital solutions take a larger role, it’s time to reassess their impact.

Free Free

Chander S Jeena

5 May 2025

2 min read

G+D Continues Its Growth Story

Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) achieved record revenue in 2024, continuing its growth trajectory.

Companies

Nicola Sudan

5 May 2025

4 min read

Drug Counterfeiting in India Exposes Vulnerability of QR Codes to Cloning

India has recently rolled back key measures for pharmaceutical traceability – possibly due to the increasingly widespread copying of genuine QR codes onto counterfeit drugs.

Illicit Trade

Chander S Jeena

5 May 2025

2 min read

Meet Crane Authentication: A New Unified Force in Security and Brand Protection

Crane NXT has announced the formation of a new business unit called 'Crane Authentication' within its recently established Security and Authentication Technologies segment. This move comes as part of its completion of the acquisition of De La Rue Authentication Solutions, which it made in October 2024 for £300 million.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

5 May 2025

4 min read

On-Dose Authentication: Closing the Last Gap in Pharmaceutical Security

While pharmaceutical packaging safeguards, such as barcodes, QR codes, and serialization, are now standard requirements under regulations like the EU Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) and US Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), these measures have proven ineffective in preventing counterfeiting, if used alone.

Editorials

Chander S Jeena

4 May 2025

5 min read

News in Brief

Merck, a leading science and technology company, has partnered with Zebra Technologies, a global leader in digitising and automating frontline workflows, to create solutions that address product verification, authenticity, and trust challenges.

Authentication

Chander S Jeena

4 May 2025

2 min read

How to Create a Chipless RFID from a Bottle Cork

A scientific report appearing in nature. com1 introduces a novel, non-cloneable, chipless RFID tag, created out of the cork of a bottle, for authenticating the wine, liquor, oil, or other liquid product contained in that bottle.

Authentication

By Dr Mark Deakes

4 May 2025

3 min read

Optical Security Protecting The Best

As overt security technologies (OST) evolve beyond traditional holography, Dr Mark Deakes, chair of the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA), considers integrated optical solutions taking centre stage. These OSTs are becoming vital to banknotes, identity security, product authentication and brand protection – offering robust, sustainable defences against the growing threat of illicit activities.

Free Free

Chander S Jeena

4 May 2025

3 min read

Recycling, Circular Economy and Authentication

As sustainability gains momentum, recycling alone is no longer enough. The circular economy promotes reuse, repair, and recycling to reduce waste and keep resources in use longer. But as recycled products go mainstream, challenges arise – especially the risk of greenwashing and fake or mislabelled goods claiming to be eco-friendly.

Sustainability

Chander S Jeena

4 May 2025

1 min read

KURZ SCRIBOS Debuts as New Face of Brand Protection

LEONHARD KURZ, a global player in security and surface finishing technologies, has announced the integration of its subsidiary SCRIBOS, a digital platform provider, under a new unified brand identity—KURZ SCRIBOS.

Authentication

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

28 April 2025

4 min read

TSTF 2025 – The Best Forum Yet?

The recent Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ (TSTF) has been hailed by some as the best TSTF ever. Yet, the overall number of delegates in attendance (170) was low compared to previous events (over 200). So, why was this 12th edition deemed so successful? Let’s take a look.

Events

Nicola Sudan

28 April 2025

8 min read

A Deep Dive into Quantum Tech for Tax Stamps

Last month, we spoke to the CEO of Quantum Base, a new International Tax Stamp Association member that brings quantum technology to traditional printing techniques to create virtually uncounterfeitable tax stamps. This month, we’re diving deeper into this technology and exploring how it could revolutionise revenue collection and traceability.

Interviews Technology & Systems

Nicola Sudan

28 April 2025

11 min read

Digital Versus Physical in the Era of AI and Quantum Computing

During the 2025 Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™, Francis Tuffy of Reconnaissance International chaired a panel discussion on the role of physical security features in an increasingly digital landscape, where artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing (QC) are coming to the fore.

Events Free Free

Nicola Sudan

28 April 2025

2 min read

ITSA Appoints New Chairman as it Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Following its 7th Annual General Meeting, held in April 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa – on the occasion of the Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ – the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new chairman, and the re-election of two directors, as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding.

Associations

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2025

2 min read

TSTF 2025 – New Speakers Confirmed from African Continent

Linstrom Marangu, Health Tax Specialist from the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), has confirmed his participation at the Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum, which takes place from 7-9 April in Cape Town, South Africa.

Events Free Free

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2025

3 min read

Bangladesh Considers Introducing QR Codes on Tax Stamps

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan has announced that the NBR is considering introducing QR codes on tobacco tax stamps.

Excise Products

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2025

7 min read

Interview with an ITSA Member – Quantum Base

This month, we have a new entry in our ongoing interview series revealing the industry insider insights of International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members.

Interviews

Latest News

Meet Crane Authentication – One Brand, One Vision

Interview with Incoming ITSA Chair Tim McIntyre

Has Holography Lost Its WOW? We Need Your Input!

G+D Continues Its Growth Story

Drug Counterfeiting in India Exposes Vulnerability of QR Codes to Cloning

Meet Crane Authentication: A New Unified Force in Security and Brand Protection

On-Dose Authentication: Closing the Last Gap in Pharmaceutical Security

News in Brief

How to Create a Chipless RFID from a Bottle Cork

Optical Security Protecting The Best

Recycling, Circular Economy and Authentication

KURZ SCRIBOS Debuts as New Face of Brand Protection

WHO Pharma Traceability Survey Highlights Technology as Main Challenge

TSTF 2025 – The Best Forum Yet?

A Deep Dive into Quantum Tech for Tax Stamps

Digital Versus Physical in the Era of AI and Quantum Computing

ITSA Appoints New Chairman as it Celebrates 10th Anniversary

TSTF 2025 – New Speakers Confirmed from African Continent

Bangladesh Considers Introducing QR Codes on Tax Stamps

Interview with an ITSA Member – Quantum Base

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