Speaking to PrintWeek India, Manoj Kochar, president, ASPA , said, “As we integrated holograms into packaging products and went onto create ancillaries which incorporated anti-counterfeit properties of the hologram, the concept of authentication solution provider emerged. We saw ourselves as an authentication solution provider.”

He further said, “ASPA re-aligns our objectives to more accurately represent the transformation of products and services offered by our member companies. Our broader scope also covers a wide array of authentication technologies that have evolved over the years. Currently we have 38 members as a part of ASPA.”

Highlighting the size of counterfeiting industry, Kochar added, “According to FICCI Cascade study released in 2013 of seven key sectors namely alcohol and beverages, auto components, computer hardware, FMCG (packaged food and personal goods), mobile phones and tobacco products, their grey market led to an estimated sale loss of Rs 72,969-crore to the industry and the revenue loss to the government was Rs 26,190-crore.”

ASPA is exhibiting at Labelexpo in order to spread the awareness and invite other authentication providers to be a part of the association. “ASPA is a call to unite various authentication solution providers across the world to galvanise our forces and strengthen this shield univocally,” concluded Kochar.