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Nicola Sudan

7 March 2023

2 min read

Luminescence Acquires InData Invisible Barcode Reading Technology

Luminescence Sun Chemical Security (LSCS) has acquired InData System’s (InData) patented invisible barcode reading technology, which consists of dedicated readers that verify and decode ‘invisible’ (fluorescing) codes.

Companies

Francisco Mandiola

7 March 2023

6 min read

Chile Launches Joint Tax/Customs Campaign to Tackle Illicit Cigarettes

It’s not all about new constitutions, riots and uncontrollable forest fires lately in Chile. There’s actually been some interesting news with respect to traceability, with press releases from both the tax authority, Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII), and the national customs service, Aduanas de Chile.

Countries Excise Products Regulations

Nicola Sudan

7 March 2023

5 min read

On The Record with Gerben van Wijk, Luminescence Sun Chemical Security

Gerben van Wijk is Sales and Marketing Director of Luminescence Sun Chemical Security (LSCS) and has been a Board Member of the International Tax Stamp Association since 2018, taking over as Chair in May 2022.

Interviews

Nicola Sudan

7 March 2023

3 min read

Time to Think About Topics for Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum

We are pleased to announce that this year’s Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ will take place from 2-4 October 2023, in the wonderful city of Tbilisi, Georgia.

Events Free Free

Nicola Sudan

7 March 2023

2 min read

Securing Liquor Supply Chains in India: Digital Locks and GPS Tracking

In India, each state has the power to control and regulate its own liquor trade. Given that the country comprises 29 states and seven union territories, each with their own set of laws, this presents a major challenge for the alcoholic beverage industry – a challenge that is further exacerbated by the limitations placed on the movement of alcohol between states.

Countries Excise Products Technology & Systems

Alan Hodgson

7 March 2023

5 min read

Emerging Technologies – Substrates

This short series on emerging technologies was a result of presentations made at the Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ (TSTF), in May 2022. This final article in the series picks up on one theme not yet covered – the topic of substrates. But first we should consider why this debate should be defined as an emerging technology.

Technology & Systems

Nicola Sudan

7 March 2023

2 min read

Gambia Revenue Authority and SICPA Sign Revenue Agreement

The Gambia’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, in partnership with the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), has signed a concession agreement with SICPA for the implementation of a revenue mobilisation platform for excisable goods, telecommunication services, and refined fuels.

Companies Countries Excise Products

Telita Snyckers

7 March 2023

5 min read

Aligning Secure Marking and Traceability with Other Government Objectives: The WCO SAFE Framework

Secure marking and excise taxes operate hand in glove. But excise duties usually account for a small percentage of countries’ overall tax take.

Case Studies Government Standards

Nicola Sudan

2 Feb. 2023

6 min read

Authenticating Everything from Fuel to Banknotes – an Interview with Dr Tim Driscoll

Readers of Authentication & Brand News™ will most likely be aware of Texas-based Authentix’s work with national governments providing fuel marking services, but perhaps you’re not so familiar with their other activities in protecting brands and securing documents.

Interviews

Nicola Sudan

2 Feb. 2023

11 min read

Stand-Out Developments in 2022 and Beyond

Looking back over the year that was, a number of key developments, covered in this newsletter during 2022, stand out in terms of their innovation and potential opportunities (or threats, as the case may be).

Free Free

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

Alan Hodgson

2 Feb. 2023

5 min read

International Standards for Smartphone Camera Testing

Many in our communities will be familiar with the benefits of international standards. These have figured in debates on mobile driving licences (mDL), tax stamps and now in establishing sustainability.

Technology & Systems

Nicola Sudan

2 Feb. 2023

3 min read

T-shirts, Stamps and Gold – the New World of Authentication

The business of authentication is changing. Whilst the physical objects that we used to hold as important on account of their scarcity or beauty have not lost their value, the digital and virtual worlds that are being created around us bring their own cherished icons.

Companies

Nicola Sudan

27 Jan. 2023

2 min read

Analysing Cigarette Filters to Detect Fakes

A team from the Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology at Panjab University, India, claims to have conducted the first study of its kind to analyse cigarette filters using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in combination with statistical models.

Excise Products

Nicola Sudan

27 Jan. 2023

2 min read

China Tobacco Under Investigation for Smuggling

Romanian authorities are investigating China Tobacco’s main factory in Europe, outside Bucharest, in connection with the possible smuggling of large quantities of cigarettes, reports OCCRP.org.

Excise Products

Francisco Mandiola

27 Jan. 2023

6 min read

The Latest from Latin America

There is a tremendous amount of activity afoot in Latin America, be it with new governments promising amazing changes amidst the reality of high inflation and worldwide economic instability, or simply because it’s time for existing governments to get back to work after the first real holiday season post-COVID.

Countries

Nicola Sudan

27 Jan. 2023

4 min read

Implementing Tax Stamp and Production Monitoring in Pakistan – A Perfect Storm?

Looking at the interplay of challenges arising from the implementation of Pakistan’s tax stamp and production monitoring system, during 2021 and 2022, one might say Pakistan is riding a perfect storm.

Countries Regulations

Telita Snyckers

27 Jan. 2023

7 min read

Tax and Customs Administration: Trends Shaping 2023

Across tax and customs administrations, there are several key trends that are of some relevance to the secure marking and traceability space.

Regulations Tax & Revenue

Nicola Sudan

27 Jan. 2023

1 min read

Kenya Seeks Increase in Price of Tax Stamps

Kenyans could soon pay more for alcohol, cigarettes, juice and cosmetic products as the Kenya Revenue Authority seeks to increase the price of excise tax stamps (which are used on all of these product groups), as part of its measures to increase revenue collection.

Countries Tax & Revenue

Alan Hodgson

27 Jan. 2023

5 min read

Emerging Technologies – Sustainability

This short series on emerging technologies has covered a number of topics over previous months. It seems fitting as we commence 2023 to now consider the topic of sustainability, a ‘trending’ theme through recent years but one that I see having an increasing impact on our market sector.

Free Technology & Systems Free

Latest News

Luminescence Acquires InData Invisible Barcode Reading Technology

Chile Launches Joint Tax/Customs Campaign to Tackle Illicit Cigarettes

On The Record with Gerben van Wijk, Luminescence Sun Chemical Security

Time to Think About Topics for Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum

Securing Liquor Supply Chains in India: Digital Locks and GPS Tracking

Emerging Technologies – Substrates

Gambia Revenue Authority and SICPA Sign Revenue Agreement

Aligning Secure Marking and Traceability with Other Government Objectives: The WCO SAFE Framework

Authenticating Everything from Fuel to Banknotes – an Interview with Dr Tim Driscoll

Stand-Out Developments in 2022 and Beyond

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

International Standards for Smartphone Camera Testing

T-shirts, Stamps and Gold – the New World of Authentication

Analysing Cigarette Filters to Detect Fakes

China Tobacco Under Investigation for Smuggling

The Latest from Latin America

Implementing Tax Stamp and Production Monitoring in Pakistan – A Perfect Storm?

Tax and Customs Administration: Trends Shaping 2023

Kenya Seeks Increase in Price of Tax Stamps

Emerging Technologies – Sustainability

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