NXP Collaborates with World Customs Organization Using NFC Technology for Anti-Counterfeiting

NXP Semiconductors announced that its NFC smart security solution has been adopted by the World Customs Organization (WCO)’s Interface Public Members (IPM) Connected Anti-Counterfeiting Program. IPM is an online tool of the WCO that provides key product information to help customs officers easily distinguish between genuine and counterfeit goods.

Over the past year, WOC has developed 'IPM Connected,' a network of global security solution providers. IPM Connected is a system that connects with IPM to enable customs to immediately verify the authenticity of products. NXP's high-performance NFC tag solution is based on existing standards to maximize compatibility with NFC-enabled equipment. In the future, it is planned to be gradually integrated with the IPM anti-counterfeiting platform to provide a secure authentication system for brand owners.

Brands or rights holders can implement protection measures for their products using NFC tags from the point of manufacture. Secure NFC tags provide an additional layer of security and can provide detailed product information known only to the brand or rights holder. Through NFC-enabled equipment such as smartphones or computers equipped with readers, it is possible to quickly determine the authenticity of products at every stage of the supply chain.

As various goods are traded across borders, customs officers using WCO’s IPM web or mobile applications can check product authenticity on-site by referring to real-time information provided by brand owners. With existing anti-counterfeiting devices such as barcodes and holograms already being replicated by counterfeiters, NFC is rapidly gaining prominence as the next-generation means for brand authentication and maintaining product traceability between suppliers and retailers.

"Providing an effective yet simple means like NFC tags and NFC-enabled smartphones"

Matthias Poppei, General Manager of Mobile Security and Distribution at NXP Semiconductors, stated, “It is a significant development to be able to provide a secure and standardized NFC solution to the WCO IPM program. This demonstrates that technology remains at the forefront of the global fight against counterfeit goods.” He added, “More than 70% of seized counterfeit goods worldwide are handled by frontline customs officers. If we provide them with effective yet simple means, such as NFC tags and NFC-enabled smartphones, to immediately verify the authenticity of products, it will streamline cross-border customs procedures and help deter future attempts at counterfeiting.”

According to statistics from the International Chamber of Commerce, global losses caused by counterfeiting amounted to $1 trillion in 2013 and are projected to increase to $2.3 trillion by 2018. Counterfeiting crime worldwide is showing double-digit growth rates and is already affecting various industries such as fashion, food, beverages, fast-moving consumer goods, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent international organization established under an intergovernmental agreement, aiming to implement effective customs administration. The WCO comprises 180 member countries that account for 98% of global trade volume. As the center of specialized customs administration agencies worldwide, the WCO is the sole international body dealing with customs administration and represents the international customs administration community. Further details regarding the WCO IPM can be obtained by clicking here.