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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

25 April 2024

5 min read

News in Brief

Recent developments in the authentication industry, including: a new authentication contract for De La Rue, Royal Canadian Mint tracks the integrity of gold, and Certified Collectibles Group acquires a leading autograph authentication company.

Authentication

Alan Hodgson

17 April 2024

4 min read

Drivers for Sustainability in Brand Protection

Products are already starting to appear in this sector. For example, Authentication & Brand News, March 2024, contained an article on sustainable tamper-evident closure seals.

Sustainability

Chander S Jeena

17 April 2024

4 min read

The Ongoing Problem of Counterfeit Postage Stamps

The UK’s Royal Mail is investigating a recent case of mass counterfeiting of its new barcoded stamps.

Authentication

Nicola Sudan

17 April 2024

4 min read

Fuel and Cannabis News

From 1 June 2024, Kyrgyzstan plans to introduce mandatory marking on all types of fuel products. In particular, it is looking to mark gasoline and diesel fuel – sold exclusively at filling stations – with irremovable molecular markers.

Excise Products

Chander S Jeena

11 April 2024

3 min read

Holography News in Brief

This article explores recent developments around holography technology, from combining origination processes and using AI for hologram detection to developing novel methods for controlling light polarisation.

Technology & Systems

Aftab Baloch

2 April 2024

3 min read

Pakistan’s Tax Authority – A White Elephant

Pakistan’s economy is currently going through a crucial period, like many other economies in the world. Along with unprecedented floods and political turmoil, the economy is beset by skyrocketing interest rates and inflation, as well as a decline in imports.

Countries

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2024

2 min read

Tax Stamp Events Announced – Save the Dates

It’s time to get your agendas out and save the dates for two in-person tax stamp and traceability events.

Events

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2024

2 min read

Crane NXT to Acquire OpSec Security

Crane NXT, a leading industrial technology company, has signed a definitive agreement with Investcorp Technology Partners to acquire OpSec Security for $270 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments.

Companies

Tim Driscoll

2 April 2024

5 min read

Why Do Some Tax Stamp Programmes Fail?

While many tax stamp programmes in operation today are delivering significant benefits (including increased tax collections), other programmes are not so successful. Why is this?

Case Studies

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2024

4 min read

Illicit Tobacco in South-East Asia ‘Not Alarmingly High’, WHO Says

The World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region has released a new research report on the illicit trade of tobacco in the region, with the conclusion that illicit levels are ‘generally not alarmingly high in most south-east Asian (SEA) countries’.

Illicit Trade

Francisco Mandiola

2 April 2024

5 min read

A Comparison of Fuel Traceability Options

Some years ago, I was asked to give a speech to a Latin American country’s customs authority with respect to fuel marking. To prepare for my presentation, I spoke to several suppliers and did some research with respect to alternatives and positive results around the world.

Excise Products Free Free

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2024

1 min read

Plastic Tax Stamps on Liquor No Good for Environment

The state of Uttarakhand in India has invited bids for full polyester holographic tax stamps to replace paper-based stamps on alcohol products, amid protests that the polyester stamps contravene a country-wide government ban on single- use plastic items below 100 microns in thickness.

Excise Products

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2024

3 min read

State of Illicit Tobacco in South Africa – Still Disastrous

During his 2024 national budget speech, in February, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the South African Revenue Service (SARS) was deploying closed-circuit television (CCTV) and related technologies on the premises of licensed tobacco manufacturers, to address the high levels of illicit tobacco.

Excise Products Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

2 April 2024

1 min read

Innovations in Tamper Proofing

A number of recent developments in tamper proof labels caught our attention, two of which are described in this article.

Technology & Systems

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2024

3 min read

Brand Authentication – The Xiaomi Way

Continuing our series on brand protection programmes implemented by some of the world’s biggest brand owners, this month we turn our attention to the Chinese technology company Xiaomi, one of the youngest companies on the Fortune Global 500 and among the largest smartphone manufacturers in the world.

Free Free

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2024

2 min read

Even Chips Deserve Protection

In the digital age, the security of electronic devices is paramount, not only to safeguard sensitive data but also to ensure the integrity of the hardware itself.

Technology & Systems

Chander S Jeena

28 March 2024

2 min read

Crane Acquire OpSec

Crane NXT, whose subsidiaries include Crane Currency, Crane Authentication and Crane Payment Innovations, has announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Investcorp Technology Partners to acquire the optical technologies and brand protection specialist OpSec Security for $270 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

21 March 2024

3 min read

Decoding Georgia Bills - No to QR Codes Yes to Watermark

While they say no to barcodes, Georgia voters could see a watermark on their ballot beginning in November, a move Republican supporters said would assure citizens that their ballots are authentic.

Brand Protection

Chander S Jeena

21 March 2024

3 min read

Fake Degrees and Authentication in Africa

According to estimates, 30 to 40% of all African qualifications are falsified and/or fake. The article explores recent regional developments, combating fraudulent degrees and certificates.

Authentication

Nicola Sudan

20 March 2024

5 min read

Interview with an ITSA Member – JURA

In our second 2024 interview with members of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), we speak to Barna Barabás, Co-Managing Director of JURA, a global brand name in security printing.

Interviews

Latest News

News in Brief

Drivers for Sustainability in Brand Protection

The Ongoing Problem of Counterfeit Postage Stamps

Fuel and Cannabis News

Holography News in Brief

Pakistan’s Tax Authority – A White Elephant

Tax Stamp Events Announced – Save the Dates

Crane NXT to Acquire OpSec Security

Why Do Some Tax Stamp Programmes Fail?

Illicit Tobacco in South-East Asia ‘Not Alarmingly High’, WHO Says

A Comparison of Fuel Traceability Options

Plastic Tax Stamps on Liquor No Good for Environment

State of Illicit Tobacco in South Africa – Still Disastrous

Innovations in Tamper Proofing

Brand Authentication – The Xiaomi Way

Even Chips Deserve Protection

Crane Acquire OpSec

Decoding Georgia Bills - No to QR Codes Yes to Watermark

Fake Degrees and Authentication in Africa

Interview with an ITSA Member – JURA

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