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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

23 Dec. 2024

5 min read

The Authentication Journey in 2024 – Innovation and Consolidation

As we move into 2025, this overview highlights trends and developments that caught the attention of Authentication & Brand News™ (ABN) in 2024 and that could continue to shape the industry.

Free Free

Chander S Jeena

23 Dec. 2024

3 min read

3D Printing Could Undermine Fight Against Fake Drugs, Study Finds

A paper published by researchers at Ulster University, the University of Central Lancashire, and Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, warns that prohibitions on the sale of pill presses and die punches, designed to restrict the production of counterfeit medicines, may be undermined by new technologies like 3D printing.

Technology & Systems

Chander S Jeena

23 Dec. 2024

4 min read

News in Brief

At High Security Printing™ Asia, held in Thailand, IDEMIA Smart Identity launched a new security feature called IDQR.

Authentication

Francisco Mandiola

23 Dec. 2024

4 min read

Fighting The Good Fight in Brazil

The Amazon rainforest, beautiful beaches, the song ‘Garota de Ipanema’, race car drivers and football players all come to mind when one thinks of Brazil. Unfortunately, the enormity and diversity of a country the size of Brazil, and the challenges that arise from trying to govern it, have given way to a country that is also known for high rates of crime and violence.

Authentication

Chander S Jeena

23 Dec. 2024

2 min read

Security for Silicone Sealants

Building on recent search-and-seizure operations in South Africa to crack down on counterfeits of its Reinzosil silicone sealant for automotive components, Victor Reinz® (a Dana brand) has now introduced high-security ‘Dana Secure’ labels on its products, accompanied by a customer awareness campaign.

Technology & Systems

Chander S Jeena

23 Dec. 2024

4 min read

2024 – The Year in Headlines

Report confirms falsification of medical devices in EU; election, democracy, and authentication; International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) launches Security Image Register (SIR) for the authentication industry....

Authentication

Chander S Jeena

23 Dec. 2024

3 min read

eInk and ePaper: Partners in Protecting Products

In the continuing fight against counterfeiting, eInk and ePaper technologies are emerging as vital tools, combining dynamic visual capabilities with robust anticounterfeiting features. While both technologies are distinct in their operational principles, in this article we will explore their joint ability to offer secure, flexible, and energy-efficient authentication solutions.

Technology & Systems

Chander S Jeena

23 Dec. 2024

3 min read

From IHMA to IOTA: A New Chapter Begins

The International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) has embarked on the next chapter in its history, with a new name reflecting its commitment to serving a broader ecosystem of optical technologies. That new name is the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA).

Companies

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

Francisco Mandiola

17 Dec. 2024

6 min read

Cigarette Tax Scorecard Shows Governments Not Doing Enough... and Even Going Backwards

A few months ago, the third edition of the Tobacconomics Cigarette Tax Scorecard was published, evaluating the 2022 performance of cigarette tax policies in 170 countries. Unfortunately, the scorecard shows that governments have made insufficient progress, and even regressed, in addressing the world’s leading cause of preventable death, despite unequivocal evidence showing that when countries raise tobacco taxes, consumption declines (Ngo et al, 2023).

Excise Products

Nicola Sudan

17 Dec. 2024

4 min read

2024 – A Year in Review

Looking back over the year that was, a number of developments stand out in different areas: namely mergers and acquisitions, the growth in illicit vapes, the integration of tax stamps into wider e-governance programmes, and a greater focus on sustainability in tax stamps. In the meantime, the ongoing rollout of national tobacco track and trace systems under the WHO FCTC Protocol continues at a sluggish pace.

Free Free

Nicola Sudan

17 Dec. 2024

6 min read

US Cross-State Cigarette Smuggling Persists, Tax Foundation Finds

According to the latest US Tax Foundation report, ‘Cigarette Taxes and Cigarette Smuggling by State, 2022’, growing cigarette tax levels and price differentials have made cigarette smuggling a persistent, national problem in the United States. But price is not the only culprit, with state bans on flavoured tobacco and nicotine products also driving up levels of cross-state smuggling.

Excise Products Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

17 Dec. 2024

2 min read

Another Multistate EU Cigarette Trafficking Scheme Uncovered

Enforcement authorities in Europe have taken down a criminal group operating an intricate cigarette trafficking scheme across several EU countries.

Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

17 Dec. 2024

2 min read

SPMCIL Records 29% Growth in Tax Stamp Revenue, Secures New Order

India’s government banknote printer, the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) has reported a 29% growth in its tax stamp division.

Companies

Nicola Sudan

17 Dec. 2024

1 min read

Malaysian Newspaper Printer Sets Sights on High Security

The Malaysian newspaper printer Ultimate Print has entered into a deal with Türkiye’s state printer, Darphane, to establish a high-security printing hub in Malaysia.

Companies

Nicola Sudan

17 Dec. 2024

4 min read

2024 – A Year in Headlines

Interviews with International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members in 2023 – common threads and differences; implementing Lebanon’s tobacco authentication and traceability solution. Some of the year's headlines.

Editorials

Nicola Sudan

4 Dec. 2024

10 min read

On the Record with Arnaud Bansard, EDGYN’s Government Affairs Director

Tax Stamp & Traceability News™ recently spoke to Arnaud Bansard, Sales Director, Government Affairs at EDGYN, a leading provider of physical and digital technologies for protecting brands and securing government revenues. Arnaud joined the company six months ago, with the objective of revitalising its government business. While EDGYN has been active in this area for over 20 years, and has multiple government references for tax stamps and ID documents, Arnaud’s objective is to ensure it becomes as successful in government as it is in brand protection.

Interviews

Sven Bergmann

4 Dec. 2024

9 min read

Real Authentication Labels on Fake Vapor Products

This article looks at the newly created, massive illicit market in vapor products originating mainly from China and sold in the United States (US). Despite being banned in both China and the US, brands like Elf Bar, Geek Bar, and Lost Mary continue to circulate. What’s more, they carry authentication labels that falsely suggest legitimacy, further exacerbating illicit trade.

Illicit Trade Track and Trace

Nicola Sudan

4 Dec. 2024

4 min read

UK to Implement Duty Stamps on Vapes... But Not Track and Trace

Following the UK’s decision to introduce a new excise duty on vaping products in 2026, the government has announced it will be implementing tax stamps on vapes, to accompany this new duty. At the same time, it has advised that a track and trace system will not be introduced on vapes, even though such a system is applied to traditional tobacco products in the UK.

Tax & Revenue

Nicola Sudan

4 Dec. 2024

2 min read

Cannabis Tracking: Major Flaws Revealed in Washington State

Washington, the first state to approve marijuana use recreationally in the US, alongside Colorado, still lacks a system to properly track cannabis from production through processing to retail sale, the Office of the Washington State Auditor confirmed in an audit.

Excise Products

Latest News

The Authentication Journey in 2024 – Innovation and Consolidation

3D Printing Could Undermine Fight Against Fake Drugs, Study Finds

News in Brief

Fighting The Good Fight in Brazil

Security for Silicone Sealants

2024 – The Year in Headlines

eInk and ePaper: Partners in Protecting Products

From IHMA to IOTA: A New Chapter Begins

Excise Share of Total Taxation Continues to Decline, OECD Reports

Cigarette Tax Scorecard Shows Governments Not Doing Enough... and Even Going Backwards

2024 – A Year in Review

US Cross-State Cigarette Smuggling Persists, Tax Foundation Finds

Another Multistate EU Cigarette Trafficking Scheme Uncovered

SPMCIL Records 29% Growth in Tax Stamp Revenue, Secures New Order

Malaysian Newspaper Printer Sets Sights on High Security

2024 – A Year in Headlines

On the Record with Arnaud Bansard, EDGYN’s Government Affairs Director

Real Authentication Labels on Fake Vapor Products

UK to Implement Duty Stamps on Vapes... But Not Track and Trace

Cannabis Tracking: Major Flaws Revealed in Washington State

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