The Authentication Forum is the flagship event of the Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) initiated in 2017. This event enables policymakers, brands, ASPA members and all stakeholders to gain first-hand collaborative knowledge of anti-counterfeiting and traceability technologies, solutions, and systems.

The event will be co-organised by Messe Frankfurt India.

Counterfeiting is a global challenge and impacts the sustainable growth of the major industry in India and the world. The recent rise of counterfeiting trends in India is concerning as the illicit market stood at Rs 2.6-trillion in FY 2019-20.

According to the recent ASPA and CRISIL report, State of Counterfeiting in India 2022, counterfeit constitutes almost 25-30% of the products and is most prevalent in various key sectors, including agri products, apparel, automotive, consumer electronics, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and others. The alarming concern is that as much as 27% of consumers are unaware that products are counterfeits at the time of purchase, making it more important to spread awareness about the issue and identification methods in fighting fakes. 

The key topics of discussion during the event include why and how we can empower the consumer in identification and authentication; building a competitive anti-counterfeiting environment in India; how blockchain can revolutionise the supply chain; how AI and Big Data provide value to anti-counterfeiting; recent anti-counterfeiting and track and trace regulations; and others. 

The speakers include K Madan Gopal, advisor, NHSRC, ministry of health and family welfare; S Swaminathan, CEO, GS1 India; Jayashree Gupta, president, Consumers India and chairperson, Human Rights Group; Paul Dunn, optical security authority and consultant, IHMA Chairman; Abhijit Ghosh, assistant drugs controller, Government of NCT of Delhi; Unaise Urfi, director, KPMG; Supriya Verma, director, PwC; and others.