Foster and Freeman empower VSC document interrogation
Systems manufacturer of the examination of questioned documents, Foster and Freeman have unveiled a new Video Spectral Comparator. The VSC 8000 provides facilities for the interrogation of documents including passports, travel and identity documents, banknotes, checks, official letters and breeder documents, as well as works of art and other valuable artifacts, said the firm. The new VSC 8000 builds upon technology launched by the company 35 years ago, combining improved multi-spectral LED light sources with sophisticated digital imaging technology. The resulting system enables examiners to verify documents by detecting the presence of hidden security features and to reveal evidence of alterations or tampering that would have previously remained imperceptible to all but the most advanced of examination instruments. The workstation is equipped with an integral motorized XY stage for precise positioning of documents under high magnification, a high-specification spectrometer for accurate color analysis, and a new Super Resolution Imaging (SRI) optical system, which provides image clarity and resolution of documents up to A4/Letter size. The VSC 8000 also introduces Document Specific Workspaces, a range of application focused software environments that provide the tools and functions specific to the document being examined. The VSC8000 can be calibrated using NIST traceable standards (supplied with all systems). Reliable system performance can be verified using simple automated diagnostics (triggered manually or on system start-up) to check the status of motors, light sources and filters.
Forecast growth of 15.7% for world anti-counterfeit pharma packaging
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the World Anti-counterfeit Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Packaging – Market Opportunities and Forecasts, 2020 report to their offering. The global anti-counterfeit packaging (Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics) market has generated a revenue of $35.7 billion in 2014 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 15.7% over the forecast period. Presently, the trends in cosmetics and personal care industry are shifting from premium beauty products to routine skin care products that are sold across local market. This would increase the threats from counterfeiting across cosmetics and personal care industry. Furthermore, the decentralization of pharmaceutical industry in terms of manufacturing and emergence of small scale personal care industry reduces the manufacturers control on the supply chain. Thus, increases the probabilities of counterfeiting. However, the advancement in track and trace technologies, increasing practices of multi-layered authentication technologies have bring revolutionary changes in securing original products. Companies with premium range of products are opting for RFID and ePedigree authentication technologies. However, economic product categories are majorly secured with the conventional authentication technologies such as holograms, inks and dyes. The unaffordable cost structure of track and trace technologies, complex operations involved in tracking the products are the major challenges for the growth of market.
New solution for protecting infant formula from counterfeiting
Covectra, an international serialization, authentication, and track and trace technology services provider with offices in US and in Ireland, has announced the launch of its holistic, integrated serialization-based solution for protecting infant formula from counterfeiting. This system, which was developed to meet the increasing need for brand and supply chain integrity of infant formula, particularly given the recent increase of illicit trading activity and supply chain leakage in markets such as China, also enables track & trace and diversion detection of these products through the supply chain and into the hands of the consumer. The principle of the solution is the application of a serialized unique barcode (QR, 2D or 1D) to the bottom of the can and all levels of packaging (case and pallet) so that it can tracked through the supply chain.
DuPont commits to defend against trademark counterfeiting
Leading market and communication trade fair for occupational safety and health, DuPont Protection Technologies (DuPont), has reaffirmed its global efforts to defend against unauthorized and illegal use of its trademarks, especially when counterfeiters jeopardize the safety of end-users. DuPont says has handled over 700 cases of trademark infringement in the last year, including 19 counterfeit cases. Most of the cases are resolved extra-judicially, however more than two-dozen cases around the world have already been closed through successful legal actions. Some of the recent actions the company has taken include training customs officers to recognize illegitimate labeling to help seize counterfeits, working with appropriate authorities to conduct raids, and moving to take down websites that promote illegitimate products. In one instance, the company reported identified counterfeiters selling fake protective apparel in the oil and gas industry to consumer protection agenci