News | Tax Stamp & Authentication News™

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2025

3 min read

Excise Tax Hikes Will Fuel South African Black Market, Industry Warns

The alcohol industry has warned that an increase in South Africa’s excise taxes will drive even more financially pressured consumers towards the already substantial black market.

Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2025

5 min read

Drug Counterfeiting in India Exposes Vulnerability of QR Codes to Cloning

India is currently facing regulatory uncertainty around authentication and traceability regulations. While on one hand it recently amended its Central Goods & Services Tax (CGST) Act to allow for the introduction of tobacco traceability, on the other hand it has rolled back key measures for pharmaceuticals – possibly due to the increasingly widespread copying of genuine QR codes for track and trace onto counterfeit drugs.

Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2025

3 min read

Revised Tax Stamp Standard Moves to Next Stage

The revised and updated international standard for tax stamps has passed through an important stage in its formal adoption by ISO (International Organization for Standards), advancing from a Working Draft to a Committee Draft. The standard provides guidance and best practice recommendations to revenue authorities, but is also relevant to suppliers as it will help them appreciate the approach of their actual or potential customers.

Standards

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2025

2 min read

Malawi Benchmarks Uganda’s Tax Stamps

In March, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) hosted an eight-member delegation from Malawi’s tax authority, for a five- day tax stamp benchmarking visit.

Technology & Systems

Aftab Baloch

2 April 2025

3 min read

The Exaggerated Estimates of Pakistan’s Illicit Cigarette Trade

In March, the tobacco industry launched an extensive media campaign, making exaggerated claims about the illegal cigarette trade in Pakistan and advocating for tax reductions. This campaign has been widely publicised, attempting to paint a picture of rampant illicit trade in the cigarette market, allegedly causing significant revenue losses to the government. However, the data and methodologies used to support these claims appear to be misleading, creating an inflated perception of the extent of the problem.

Excise Products Illicit Trade

Chander S Jeena

30 March 2025

1 min read

Pragmatic Launch NFC Connect for Authentication

UK-based chip company Pragmatic Semiconductor has announced the launch of its latest radio frequency identification (RFID) near-field communication (NFC) product line, Pragmatic NFC Connect.

Sustainability

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2025

4 min read

News in Brief

At the recent World Money Fair (WMF), Germania Mint unveiled a special release coin featuring Black Light Colours technology.

Authentication

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2025

3 min read

All4Labels Enters New Era of Brand Protection and Smart Packaging

At the beginning of 2024, All4Labels, one of the world’s largest label manufacturers, launched a subsidiary called Integritag, as part of its expansion into brand protection and smart packaging.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2025

2 min read

ODDS 2025 Conference – Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference, which will be held in Warsaw from 15-17 September 2025.

Events

Nicola Sudan

28 March 2025

2 min read

The DNA of Organised Crime is Changing, Europol Warns

Europol’s EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU- SOCTA) 20251, published in March, reveals how the very DNA of crime is shifting – adapting to a world shaped by global instability, digitalisation and emerging technologies, and no longer bound by traditional structures.

Illicit Trade

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2025

3 min read

NFC and its Increasing Role in Sports Authentication

In the February 2024 edition of Authentication & Brand News™, we examined how David Beckham, the celebrated former England footballer, was intensifying efforts against counterfeit manufacturers illicitly selling fake products – including clothing and fragrances – under his brand. This article looks at the latest organisations to have adopted near-field communication (NFC) technology for authenticating sporting apparel and memorabilia.

Authentication

28 March 2025

2 min read

EUIPO ‘Authentic View’ Blockchain Enters Promotion Phase

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has completed two pilot projects to test its ‘Authentic View’ blockchain infrastructure, which is designed to combat counterfeiting.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2025

2 min read

The Portuguese Mint Strategy: Innovation, Collaboration, Expansion

With more than 700 years of history, the Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda (INCM) – also known as the Portuguese mint and national press – is committed to enhancing its role as a progressive, globally engaged organisation through a strategic focus on innovation, collaboration, and expansion. Its recent initiatives and partnerships demonstrate a strong dedication to providing high-security, technology-driven solutions for both domestic and international markets.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2025

2 min read

Bond, Iridia and Baxus Debut Molecular Whisky Authentication Tech

A new method for combating whisky refill fraud has been developed by combining molecular science with blockchain technology.

Authentication

Chander S Jeena

24 March 2025

3 min read

ASPA Forum Urges Unified Strategy to Combat Counterfeiting

The Authentication Solution Providers' Association (ASPA) hosted the sixth edition of the Traceability and Authentication Forum in New Delhi on March 17-18. The event emphasised the need for stronger anti-counterfeiting laws and an increased use of authentication and traceability tools.

Associations

Chander S Jeena

24 March 2025

2 min read

Oberthur Partners with Giriraj Foils in India

François-Charles Oberthur group, a global leader in banknote printing, security solutions and technologies, has partnered with Giriraj Foils, a well-respected name in India's high-security films, stamping foils and laminates, to deliver advanced authentication solutions tailored for the Indian market.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

24 March 2025

2 min read

Quantum Base Plans £5M IPO for Authentication Tech

Located in Lancaster University, UK, Quantum Base (QB) has announced its intention to list on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market in April 2025. The company aims to raise between £3 million and £5 million through a placing and retail offer to support product development and commercial expansion, joining the growing number of quantum technology companies advancing their authentication solutions.

Free Free

Nicola Sudan

18 March 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

Francis Tuffy

18 March 2025

2 min read

Colour-Changing Smart Materials for Rapid Authentication

At the recent High Security Printing™ EMEA conference in Basel, Switzerland, Dr Alexander Brannan from the University of Manchester, and Gary Spinks of Security Fibres UK, presented advances in colour-changing smart materials designed for rapid authentication. This technology addresses key issues in anticounterfeiting by integrating academic research with industrial application.

Technology & Systems

Francis Tuffy

17 March 2025

2 min read

Colour-Changing Smart Materials for Rapid Authentication

At the recent High Security Printing™ EMEA conference in Basel, Switzerland, Dr Alexander Brannan from the University of Manchester, and Gary Spinks of Security Fibres UK, presented advances in colour-changing smart materials designed for rapid authentication. This technology addresses key issues in anticounterfeiting by integrating academic research with industrial application.

Authentication

Latest News

Excise Tax Hikes Will Fuel South African Black Market, Industry Warns

Drug Counterfeiting in India Exposes Vulnerability of QR Codes to Cloning

Revised Tax Stamp Standard Moves to Next Stage

Malawi Benchmarks Uganda’s Tax Stamps

The Exaggerated Estimates of Pakistan’s Illicit Cigarette Trade

Pragmatic Launch NFC Connect for Authentication

News in Brief

All4Labels Enters New Era of Brand Protection and Smart Packaging

ODDS 2025 Conference – Registration Now Open

The DNA of Organised Crime is Changing, Europol Warns

NFC and its Increasing Role in Sports Authentication

EUIPO ‘Authentic View’ Blockchain Enters Promotion Phase

The Portuguese Mint Strategy: Innovation, Collaboration, Expansion

Bond, Iridia and Baxus Debut Molecular Whisky Authentication Tech

ASPA Forum Urges Unified Strategy to Combat Counterfeiting

Oberthur Partners with Giriraj Foils in India

Quantum Base Plans £5M IPO for Authentication Tech

TSTF 2025 – New Speakers Confirmed from African Continent

Colour-Changing Smart Materials for Rapid Authentication

Colour-Changing Smart Materials for Rapid Authentication

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