Lasersec Technologies

Counterfeits: The Alarming Growth Of The Fake Auto Parts Industry

Fake products, often known as counterfeits, are something that pervades all industries to an extent. Fake notes, fake medicine, fake branding, etc. are insanely common nowadays. While some fake products harm you economically, some may harm you fatally. Among them, a counterfeit in the automobile industry is a dangerous as well as a growing concern because not only does it affect a huge industry in significant ways, but also can destroy individual lives too. It is because believe it or not; counterfeit practices contribute to 20 percent of all accidents that occur in this country, not limited to personal cars but also trucks, SUVs, and other heavy-carriage vehicles.

The measures that government has adopted as of now has, needless to mention, has not been sufficient enough since one in four automobile parts are nowadays fake. While some of them may not have an impact immediately, some fake parts can damage the car on a short notice and can be the cause of the next road accident headline. The pervasive nature only calls for a solution that must be affirmed quickly.

How The Fake Industry Functions?

Of course, such an industry runs underground and is never registered or taxed. Hence, tracing the players of the duplicate market can be tough. However, the industry is growing, and currently, it has almost one-third share regarding parts products which account for the largest percentage of counterfeiting among all fake products. Surely, no industry or no brand would want their name getting tarnished while some people make a huge amount of money using their name while evading tax.

While it may seem surprising since automobile parts undergo fatigue tests called OEM tests. However, such tests can be bypassed to get the product to the market. Often, these products have wrongly spelled names so that you cannot immediately identify them. At a glance, the product may seem to be some reputed company, but they alter a letter or vary the logo a bit and deceive people. They use low-quality steel, instead of proper noise cancellation, you get low-quality protection, and there is no safety in using these products because they will never have a guarantee card or certificate.

The Growing Success Of Counterfeits

The lack of awareness among buyers has played a crucial role in the spreading of fake products. Often, drivers, as well as car users, don’t pay attention to the details, making it easy to pass fake products. Dealers are also involved in this racket as they sell the product by assuring novice customers that these products are cheaper and hence, better. People often believe that when the packaging looks original, the product must be so too. However, nowadays, packaging has become so easy that even the finest brands can be copied very quickly.

Hence, the authentication has to be made at the level of product and the package, so that there is a dual layer of security. As a user, it ‘s hard to realize why an original product at the right price matters until the fateful day arrives when your car suffers a breakdown in the middle of the road, or worse, an accident. Often, people don’t understand when the secondary products give a problem and blame it on the brand. For example, if your wiper gets damaged after a few months, then you would blame the company. But, only if your brake fails do you take the car to the repairing shop and realize there is a fake part involved in the debacle. However, such realization can come a little too late and can have a huge impact on the reputation of your company.

Getting Rid Of Counterfeits Is A Possibility

While it may seem that fake products have an empire of their own, they can be taken down if proper measures are taken. Holograms provide a brilliant opportunity in this regard. There are many levels of holographic security labels. You can opt for covert, overt as well as the forensic level of identification with such labels. The overt method is easily understandable by the eye and is there for the customer’s help. Once the client sees the hologram and the familiar logo is identified, immediately it is possible to tell that this is a genuine product.

Covert methods of holographic practices are mostly meant for manufacturers since only they would know that there is a hidden text or image embossed on the product. So, the supply line can be secured using one of these possible devices. In short, there should be no loophole so that the fake products can enter the business. Create a unique hologram of your own, increase customer awareness about hologram and you will not suffer from revenue loss or tarnishing of brand image.

Lasersec Technologies to the Rescue…

It is why Lasersec Technologies offers you a wide range of holographic solution products for your company. If you are an automobile parts supplier or producer, a brand worth reckoning, then you would surely not want to be in the wrong book of customers all of a sudden just because some other company is using the brand name to gain a foothold in the market. Lasersec Technologies can tell you what kind of holographic product will suit you depending on your need and the kind of supply chain you are into currently.

Holograms also enable you to pinpoint the culprits who make them forensic evidence. So, by hologram tampering, you can tell where in the supply line things may have gone wrong and then you can catch the miscreants who are part of this huge racket. In fact, such tampering can be presented in court as evidence too. So, holograms are incredibly powerful not only as an authenticating method but also as forensic evidence.

So, your business will now have a greater influx of cash, and you will know where your product goes and who buys them. Everyone in the supply chain now has to be accountable for anything which deters the players of the chain from engaging in any malpractice whatsoever. Your customers will also be happy to see that you care about their lives and that creates the strongest customer relationship possible.

Have you ever faced issues due to counterfeiting? What did you do to fight it? Share with us mktg@lasersec.in

 

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How Indian Pharma Exporters Can Prepare for EU’s New Digital Packaging Rules

The European Union’s upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) and serialization requirements, effective from 2026, are transforming how pharmaceuticals are packaged and traced across the supply chain. For Indian pharma exporters, this means digital-ready packaging is no longer optional — it’s essential for market access, compliance, and trust.

So, how can packaging evolve fast enough to meet these expectations?
The answer lies in QR codes and tamper-evident labels — two smart technologies that bring traceability, authenticity, and transparency directly onto the pack.

1. The New EU Challenge: Digital Transparency at Every Level

Under the EU Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), every product entering the EU — including pharmaceuticals — must carry a Digital Product Passport (DPP). This digital record links each pack to verified data such as product origin, batch, composition, and regulatory certifications.

However, achieving compliance requires:

  • Unit-level serialization
  • Scannable digital identifiers
  • Tamper-proof packaging integrity

That’s where smart labeling comes into play.

2. QR Codes: Your Gateway to Digital Product Passports

QR codes have evolved far beyond simple barcodes. Modern secure and dynamic QR codes allow real-time verification, linking every individual pack to its digital passport in the cloud.

With secure QR codes, pharma exporters can:

  • Connect each product to a verified DPP record
  • Enable instant verification for customs officials, distributors, and patients
  • Detect counterfeits or unauthorized diversions
  • Track exports throughout the EU supply chain
When integrated with serialization, these QR codes become digital fingerprints — unique, tamper-evident, and compliant with EU’s interoperability standards.

3. Tamper-Evident Labels: The Physical Layer of Trust

While QR codes protect digital identity, tamper-evident labels safeguard physical authenticity. These labels reveal visible signs — such as “VOID” marks or holographic breaks — if anyone tries to remove or alter them.

Why they’re essential for compliance:

  • They ensure product integrity during transit
  • Serve as proof of non-interference and genuine origin
  • Complement serialization and DPP data by confirming physical security
Together, tamper-evident and QR-enabled labels bridge the physical and digital worlds, creating a robust defense against counterfeiting and regulatory breaches.

4. How These Technologies Work Together

When integrated, QR codes and tamper-evident labels deliver a two-tier protection model:

LayerFunctionBenefit
Digital Layer (QR Code)Links each pack to live data and DPPEnables authentication and traceability
Physical Layer (Tamper-Evident Label)Shows visible signs of tamperingEnsures product safety and compliance integrity

This hybrid approach enables exporters to prove compliance instantly — both digitally and physically — meeting EU’s dual requirement of traceability and security.

5. Implementation Blueprint for Exporters

To align with the EU’s 2026 standards, Indian exporters should begin adopting these steps today:

  • Adopt Dynamic QR Codes:
    Implement secure, serialized QR codes linked to live cloud databases or blockchain.
  • Upgrade Labeling Infrastructure:
    Ensure your packaging lines support tamper-evident label application and QR code printing at the unit level.
  • Integrate with Track & Trace Systems:
    Synchronize label data with your ERP or MES to enable full supply chain visibility.
  • Partner with Trusted Solution Providers:
    Choose technology partners experienced in anti-counterfeit, serialization, and pharma-grade packaging.

6. Beyond Compliance: Building Trust and Value

Compliance may be the starting point, but smart labeling delivers much more:

  • Builds trust with regulators, distributors, and patients
  • Enhances brand reputation through transparency
  • Reduces counterfeit and recall risks
  • Positions your company as a future-ready exporter
By embracing smart packaging now, Indian pharma manufacturers can turn regulatory pressure into a competitive advantage.

Secure, Smart, and Ready for 2026

The EU’s digital packaging regulations are reshaping global pharma trade — and Indian exporters who act early will lead the way. By combining secure QR codes and tamper-evident labels, you can ensure every shipment is authentic, traceable, and regulation-ready.

At Lasersec Technologies, we specialize in pharma-grade anti-counterfeit solutions — from dynamic QR codes to tamper-evident holographic labels and complete Track & Trace integration. Let’s help you make your exports compliant, secure, and globally trusted.

Future-proof your packaging — one secure label at a time.

Customizing Anti-Counterfeit Solutions for High-Risk Markets

You’ve secured your product.
You’ve set up authentication.
But somehow, fakes are still slipping through—especially in markets like India, Africa, and Latin America.

Why?

Because one-size-fits-all protection doesn’t work in a world where every region plays by different rules.

In high-risk markets, the threats aren’t just common—they’re constantly evolving. For global brands, the key isn’t just stronger protection. It’s smarter, localized protection that meets people where they are.

Your brand may be global, but the challenges you face aren’t:

  • India – Counterfeit medicines often enter through informal supply chains in semi-urban and rural regions.
  • Africa – Fake electronics and unauthorized imports disrupt trusted retail networks, often due to weak enforcement.
  • LATAM – Counterfeit FMCG products share shelf space with genuine ones, confusing customers and weakening trust.

Each region needs more than just a label or code—it needs context-aware solutions that align with how local consumers buy, verify, and trust.

You care about your product. Your customers should feel that—whether they’re in a remote village or a bustling market.

A generic solution may look good on paper, but in practice, it often fails:
1. Assumes strict enforcement exists everywhere (it doesn’t)
2. Relies on stable internet (not always available)
3. Expects every consumer to understand how to verify (many don’t)

If your strategy doesn’t meet local realities, it can’t truly protect your product—or your promise.

Real Protection, Tailored for India, Africa and Latin America

In India’s semi-urban and rural areas, simplicity is key.

  • A breakable seal, paired with a GS1-compliant scannable QR or SMS code, allows patients to verify authenticity in seconds—even without an app.
  • Pharmacies use a lightweight Track & Trace dashboard to log stock movement and report suspicious entries instantly.
  • Multilingual alerts ensure the system works for non-English speakers.

Africa’s mobile-first environment presents unique opportunities:

  • Brands use scratch-off serial codes verified through WhatsApp—no separate app or internet login required.
  • Distributors are equipped with basic handheld scanners or mobile verification tools to validate products at every checkpoint.
  • Real-time alerts flag suspicious batches, enabling fast containment.

In Latin America’s open markets, brand trust is everything:

  • Products carry tamper-evident labels embedded with dynamic QR codes that offer rewards or authenticity tips upon scanning.
  • Customers can instantly check if a product is genuine while engaging with the brand.
  • Campaigns create awareness, making verification part of the everyday purchase habit.

What Should You Be Asking?

  • What’s really happening in each of your key markets?
  • Are you protecting your riskiest product lines first?
  • Can your end customer easily verify your product?
  • Do your tools adapt to local behaviors and tech access?

If you’re unsure—it’s time to rethink the approach.

The Difference It Makes

  • Fakes drop where protection fits the environment
  • Consumers feel seen and empowered
  • Local teams feel equipped, not overwhelmed
  • Your brand stays respected and trusted, even in tough markets

This isn’t about spending more—it’s about spending smarter.

When your anti-counterfeit strategy aligns with real market conditions, you do more than block counterfeiters—you build long-term trust.

Because in the end, effective protection isn’t just a technical system.
It’s a message: We understand your market. We respect your safety.

At Lasersec Technologies, we design region-specific anti-counterfeit solutions that blend holographic security, track & trace, and phygital engagement tools. From SMS-based verification to WhatsApp-integrated checks, we help global brands stay a step ahead—with no guesswork.