The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), a non-profit organization which advocates against counterfeiting and illicit trade, has elected a new Governing Body. Under the new leadership the pioneering think-tank shares a critical insight into the issue of counterfeiting that is depriving India of huge revenue.
“There is an immediate need for India to priorities Conscious Consumerism to curb the leak of precious tax revenue for the betterment of the Indian Economy,” ASPA’s new governing body said..
Manoj Kochar, Holoflex Limited, has been voted as the President of ASPA and Ankit Gupta, Holostik India, as Vice President. Luv Shriram, Shriram Veritech is the General Secretary and Treasurer. TheGoverning Body Members are: Saurabh Agarwal, Avery Dennison (India) Pvt. Ltd; Vikas Jain, ACVISS Technologies; and Ex-Officio: Nakul Pasricha, PharmaSecure. Co-Opted Governing Body Members are Gaurav Sathaye, United Speciality and Ranesh Bajaj, Vinsak India.
Manoj Kochar, President, ASPA,said, “Counterfeiting has and continues to be a very serious hindrance that has been slowing down the growth of India’s Economy. Unfortunately, neither of the stakeholders be it the government, industry associations, businesses or the consumers give the matter the importance it deserves. Counterfeiting is divided into Deceptive and Non- deceptive markets. In simpler terms some consumers buy a fake under the impression that it is an original (deceptive) and some consumers buy the product knowing that it is a fake (non-deceptive).”
“In a recent survey done by us, it was found that an astonishing 31 percent people willingly buy a fake product (ASPA Report to the Nation). This non-deceptive market fuels the counterfeit market and encourages criminals to produce and sell more such harmful and inferior fake products. It is extremely critical to nurture and motivate conscious consumerism plus active participation in the authentication process. Without inclusion of the consumers it is impossible to fight against fakes.”
Ankit Gupta, Vice President, ASPA, said, “Circulation of counterfeit products does not only have financial but also social repercussions. It tarnishes the reputation of the country and reduces faith of consumers. It is disheartening to see that consumers have lost so much faith that they are okay in buying a product even when they know that it is a fake and it could be harmful for them. Almost 89% of consumers acknowledge the presence of fake products in the market, even after discovering a fake product consumers take no or negligible action against it. The survey revealed that top categories in which consumers come across fakes are Apparel (31%), FMCG (28%), Automotive (25%), Pharmaceuticals (20%), Consumer durables (17%), and Agrochemicals (16%).
The menace of counterfeit, substandard and falsified products is rooted deep into the ecosystem and auctioning a strategic plan to counter it cannot be pushed further. It is an immediate need of the Indian economy which can put the saved revenue into effective use. By encouraging conscious consumerism, the whole ecosystem can be pushed towards a positive change, an ASPA media release said.
