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 Tamper Evident Packaging and Track & Trace Strengthen Anti-Counterfeiting Measures

You trust the seal. So does your customer.
But what if both can be faked?

In today’s hyper-competitive and counterfeit-prone market, trust is no longer a given—it must be earned, secured, and verifiable. One compromised product doesn’t just mean financial loss. It means broken trust, customer complaints, and reputational damage.

For quality assurance teams, brand managers, and packaging heads, the challenge is clear: protecting your product is protecting your brand.

The Dual-Layer Security Model

Forward-thinking brands are now adopting a two-pronged security approach: Tamper-Evident Packaging + Track & Trace Technology
One is a physical deterrent. The other is a digital watchdog. Together, they form a resilient shield against fraud.

1. What These Tools Actually Do

Tamper-Evident Packaging

These packaging elements display clear signs of interference.
Think broken seals, VOID labels, or peeled films—immediate red flags for both consumers and supply chain teams.

2. Track & Trace Systems

Every unit is assigned a unique serialized identity, often through GS1 barcodes or QR codes.
Each scan updates the unit’s journey from production to retail, enabling full traceability and real-time monitoring through secure platforms.

Bonus: Advanced T&T systems now integrate with cloud-based dashboards, AI-based alerts, and mobile authentication tools.

Relying on only one method is like locking your front door but leaving the windows wide open.

  • Tamper seals can be replicated.
  • Digital codes can be copied.

But when combined:
Physical evidence + Digital validation = A failsafe authentication system that’s far harder to breach.

Real Time Impacts

  1. Pharmaceuticals: A sealed pack and a scannable QR code validate medication at the pharmacy. Brands using serialization aligned with DSCSA/EU FMD have reduced counterfeit reports and met compliance faster.
  2. Electronics: With encrypted QR codes and tamper seals, brands can detect unauthorized resellers and trace diversion to the source. Less warranty fraud and tighter market control.
  3. FMCG & Personal Care: A beauty brand added tamper-evident seals and scannable codes after fake products emerged online. 38% drop in complaints, increased repurchase rates, and renewed customer trust.

Why This Approach Works

  • Visible Proof:
    Customers know if the product has been tampered with.
  • Digital Traceability:
    Brands know exactly where and when a breach occurred.
  • Rapid Response:
    Identify and contain supply chain risks in real time.
  • Compliance-Ready:
    Stay ahead of evolving global regulations.
  • Brand Loyalty:
    Build trust through transparency, safety, and action.

You don’t need a massive overhaul.

Start small like:

  • Apply tamper-evident holographic labels to premium or high-risk SKUs.
  • Add QR codes connected to a secure backend system.
  • Educate your distributors and customers on scanning and verification.

Then, scale as your confidence and ROI grow.

Your Packaging Is More Than a Box

It’s your handshake, your promise, your presence in places you can’t be.

With tamper-evident packaging and track & trace working in tandem, your packaging becomes a:

  • Silent Guardian
  • Smart Communicator
  • Powerful Brand Asset

Let’s Build Smarter, Safer Packaging – Together

At Lasersec Technologies, we specialize in merging physical security with digital intelligence. Our solutions are tailored for pharma, electronics, FMCG, automotive, and consumer brands looking to stay ahead of counterfeiting risks.

The Shift from Traditional Labels to Interactive Packaging: What Brands Need to Know

Ever held a medicine pack and wondered—is this real? Is it safe?

Your customers, pharmacists, and regulators are asking the same questions every day. And the answers often begin not with a product demo or a marketing campaign—but with what’s printed, sealed, or embedded on your packaging.

We’re entering a new era—where the label isn’t just a sticker. It’s a source of truth.

The shift from traditional labels to interactive packaging is redefining how pharmaceutical brands build credibility, deliver transparency, and protect their reputation.

Why Traditional Labels Aren’t Enough Anymore

For decades, a logo, a batch number, or a hologram gave a basic sense of authenticity. But today’s pharmaceutical buyers, regulators, and patients are more informed and more skeptical. They want proof, not promises—and they want it instantly.

Consumers, pharmacists, and regulators now ask:

  • Where was this product made?
  • Is it safe to use?
  • Has it been tampered with or copied?
  • Can I trace it to the source?
A static label can’t answer these. And in an age where counterfeiting, unauthorized distribution, and regulatory audits are rising—relying only on traditional packaging methods puts patients, companies, and supply chains at risk.

What Is Interactive Packaging?

Interactive packaging blends physical labels with digital intelligence. It enables a smartphone scan—via QR code, NFC chip, dynamic watermark, or serialized code—to unlock detailed product data, authentication, and personalized content.

It offers visibility beyond the box.

Through secure and unique digital triggers (often integrated with traceability platforms), brands can:

  • Verify authenticity instantly
  • Show manufacturing details, batch numbers, expiry dates, and certifications
  • Share dosage guides, patient education, and usage instructions
  • Deliver loyalty programs or pharmacist rewards
  • Start direct engagement with patients or healthcare providers
Unlike generic codes, modern systems use dynamic serialization or cloud-linked markers that are nearly impossible to duplicate—raising the bar for counterfeiters and aligning with regulations like DSCSA, EU FMD, and TGA guidelines.

Why More Brands Are Making the Switch

The shift to interactive packaging isn’t just a technology upgrade—it’s a strategic response to life-critical risks, regulatory demands, and patient safety.

  • Authentication:
    Allows pharmacists and patients to verify medicines instantly.
  • Recall readiness:
    Offers real-time traceability and rapid product recalls if needed.
  • Transparency:
    Provides batch-level tracking and supply chain visibility.
  • Engagement:
    Enables direct patient education, feedback, and loyalty programs.
It transforms packaging from a passive layer into a smart, compliant, and protective communication tool.

The Trend Backed by Numbers

According to Research and Markets, the global smart packaging market is expected to reach USD 43.6 billion by 2030, driven by the need for secure product authentication and patient trust.

A recent study shows that 81% of consumers are more likely to trust brands that offer transparency through scannable packaging.

In the pharmaceutical industry, this trust isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s a regulatory and ethical responsibility.

From Confusion to Confidence

A leading pharmaceutical company faced a surge in counterfeit antibiotics in regional markets. Patients and pharmacists began raising safety concerns, and regulatory bodies flagged potential supply chain gaps.

The solution?

The company implemented secure, serialized QR codes on every blister pack and bottle. Each scan by a pharmacist or consumer provided instant product verification, manufacturing details, and patient instructions.

The impact:

  • Sharp decline in counterfeit complaints
  • Increased confidence among distributors and pharmacies
  • Stronger regulatory compliance and brand trust

Thinking About the Shift?

You don’t need to overhaul your entire product portfolio at once. Begin small, scale smart.

  • Choose a product line – Start with high-risk or export-oriented SKUs.
  • Define your purpose – Focus on authentication, traceability, or patient engagement.
  • Select the right technology – Use encrypted, copy-proof serialization.
  • Design it well – Make it seamless within your existing packaging.
  • Track engagement – Monitor scans, locations, and recall readiness.
Interactive packaging platforms can integrate with your ERP, WMS, and pharma track & trace systems to provide unit-level traceability—from production to the patient’s hand.

The Label Is No Longer Just a Label

In the pharmaceutical industry, packaging isn’t just protection—it’s proof.

Interactive packaging helps pharma brands move from saying “Trust us” to confidently showing why they’re trustworthy—meeting regulatory demands, protecting patients, and building real-world credibility.

Every scan is more than just a check—it’s a chance to:

  • Win patient trust
  • Engage directly with consumers and healthcare providers
  • Protect your products and comply with regulations

When trust, safety, and compliance are at stake, make your packaging your strongest proof point. At Lasersec Technologies, we help pharmaceutical companies bridge this gap—from static to smart, from uncertain to verified.

We design secure, compliant packaging solutions that protect your medicines, engage your supply chain, and elevate your brand.