PISEC 05, the international conference and exhibition for the brand protection, product authentication, document security and RFID industries, will be taking place next month, on 18 to 20 April at the Hilton Vienna, Austria.
New counterfeit and fraud threats arise on an almost weekly basis as criminals and brand pirates try to breach counter measures. The amount of legitimate business lost to counterfeit attacks is up to six to eight per cent of world trade, and the global food industry is one sector that has become susceptible.
The issue of counterfeiting and diversion has therefore focussed the attention of food industries on using RFID and other tools to prevent the diversion of shipments and track inventory. German RFID technology company KSW Microtec recently launched a new RFID label for tracking supply chain integrity for perishable foods.
According to UK packaging consultancy Pira, the system is targeted at products that can be adversely affected by changes in environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity.
In addition, CCL Container has developed packaging that it claims is virtually impossible to replicate. Tamper-evidence functions have been incorporated by increasing the surface area of the lip of the bottle to accommodate a pressure-sensitive liner that served as the protective and consumer-preferred seal.
Additionally, an outer plastic band covers the neck and closure of the package, delivering the anticipated 'snap' upon first use.
And Sherwood Technology has developed a new generation colour change technique to fight counterfeiting in the food industry. The products, DataLase and DataLase Clear, achieve brand protection and security by providing products with their own unique mark. Combining chemistry and substrate conversion, the technology's colour change mechanism is triggered by low power CO2 laser light energy.
The PISEC 05 event is designed to provide a platform through which industry can communicate these challenges and develop defences against such threats. The event offers an impressive line-up of speakers from key organisations, all discussing various aspects of managing brand protection and counterfeiting crime.
Tom Fadrhonc, director of brand protection at Nike will present the opening keynote plenary session, 'The effects of counterfeiting on high value added goods,' and day two will see a keynnote paper by James Dunkelberger from Microsoft entitled "Protecting the Microsoft flagship product line - today's challenges, tomorrow's requirements."
Other high profile speakers will include Chris Thomas, financial crime director at Barclays Bank and James Stafford from UK retailer Marks & Spencer.
In addition to the conference, a mini-exhibition will take place alongside. Exhibitors include Atlantic Zeiser, CP Films, Creo, DuPont Authentication, HP Indigo, MediaSec Technologies, Paxar Brand Protection and Securikett.
"Governments and brand owners worldwide are aware of the damage that counterfeiting and forgery can inflict on their economies," said Jeremy Plimmer, PISEC conference chairman.
"Such activities restrict growth and cause untold misery for those concerned. Identity fraud and concern over the effects of counterfeit pharmaceuticals are illustrations of this."
The PISEC 05 Industry Awards winners will also be announced at the event. Awards will be given for outstanding achievement in development of authenticity products, tamper evidence innovation and applications in RFID for product protection among others.