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Filtered by Reports & Studies — 46 articles

Nicola Sudan

29 June 2026

5 min read

Illicit Trade Continues Growing as EU Reviews Tobacco Traceability System

As the European Commission prepares to revise the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), a debate is gaining further traction over the effectiveness of the European Union’s tobacco track and trace system.

Government Illicit Trade Regulations

Nicola Sudan

29 June 2026

3 min read

Study Finds Enforcement Gaps Drive Philippine Illicit Trade

A recent independent study has challenged tobacco industry claims that high tobacco taxes are driving illicit cigarette trade in the Philippines, concluding instead that enforcement gaps and regional factors are the primary causes of illicit market activity.

Countries Enforcement & Surveillance Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

25 March 2026

2 min read

Smithers Declares a New Era of Security Printing

According to a new market report by security printing consultancy firm Smithers, the global security printing sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by accelerating technology, stricter regulation, and shifting geopolitics.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

25 March 2026

4 min read

Counterfeiting in India – A Market Flooded with Fakes

The scale and persistence of counterfeiting in India’s consumer markets has once again been laid bare, with the release of the ‘State of Counterfeiting in India 2025’ report by the Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), in collaboration with CRISIL Intelligence. Launched at TAF Connect 2026, the study provides one of the most comprehensive snapshots to date of how counterfeit goods are infiltrating supply chains, reshaping consumer behaviour, and challenging enforcement efforts across the country.

Countries Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

4 Dec. 2025

8 min read

Protocol Progressing – But Mind the Gaps, Says MOP4 Report

At the recent Fourth Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP4) to the FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products1, the FCTC Secretariat released its latest Protocol implementation status report2, including the status of track and trace programmes. While the report concludes that advances are being made with regard to Protocol implementation, there are still wide gaps remaining. Furthermore, the report cautions readers to tread carefully with regard to its findings, given that it is based on data that is generally quite sparse.

Government Illicit Trade Regulations

4 Dec. 2025

2 min read

2.3% of World Trade is ‘Fake’, New Report Estimates

A new study by the OECD and EU Intellectual Property Office has found that, in 2021, the global trade in counterfeit goods was valued at approximately $467 billion, accounting for 2.3% of total global imports.

Illicit Trade Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

30 Oct. 2025

5 min read

Tracing Tobacco Back to its Roots

A recent scientific review by researchers in China sheds new light on how cutting-edge science can be used to fight the global illicit tobacco trade. The study, carried out by teams at the China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Centre, the Beijing Life Science Academy, and the Key Laboratory of Information Traceability for Agricultural Products at the Ministry of Agriculture, explores how chemical, mineral, and isotopic ‘fingerprinting’ techniques can identify the true geographical origin of tobacco.

Reports & Studies Track and Trace

Chander S Jeena

22 Sept. 2025

2 min read

Indian Authentication and Traceability Market Set to Exceed £1 Billion

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), in partnership with Accenture, has released its first-ever industry report, ‘Indian Traceability & Authentication Industry Study’, which projects the sector will grow at a CAGR of 11.3% to reach £1.3 billion by 2028-29.

Reports & Studies

Chander S Jeena

29 June 2025

3 min read

Global Counterfeit Trade Continues Steady Climb, OECD Claims

A new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the EU Intellectual Property Office, have revealed that, in 2021, global trade in counterfeit goods was valued at approximately $467 billion, or 2.3% of total global imports. This absolute value represents an increase from 2019, when counterfeit trade was at $464 billion, although its relative share decreased compared to 2019 when it accounted for 2.5% of world trade. For imports into the EU, the value of counterfeits was estimated at $117 billion, or 4.7% of total EU imports.

Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

29 June 2025

3 min read

EU Illicit Cigarettes Surge to Highest Level Since 2015 – Huge Tax Variations not Helping

KPMG has released its latest annual study on illicit cigarettes in Europe, commissioned by Philip Morris Products SA, and covering 38 European markets (including 27 EU member states). The study shows that while overall illicit consumption in Europe grew marginally in 2024 (by 0.2%), consumption in the EU27 soared by 10.8% to reach 9.2% of the total market – the highest level in nearly a decade.

This article represents the first in a series that aims to educate readers on the dynamic nature of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and key issues that need addressing, as well as, ideally, offer a means by which suppliers of secure track and trace technologies can address this heretofore untapped potential new market.

Reports & Studies

Latest News

Illicit Trade Continues Growing as EU Reviews Tobacco Traceability System

Study Finds Enforcement Gaps Drive Philippine Illicit Trade

Smithers Declares a New Era of Security Printing

Counterfeiting in India – A Market Flooded with Fakes

Protocol Progressing – But Mind the Gaps, Says MOP4 Report

2.3% of World Trade is ‘Fake’, New Report Estimates

Tracing Tobacco Back to its Roots

Indian Authentication and Traceability Market Set to Exceed £1 Billion

Global Counterfeit Trade Continues Steady Climb, OECD Claims

EU Illicit Cigarettes Surge to Highest Level Since 2015 – Huge Tax Variations not Helping

WHO Pharma Traceability Survey Highlights Technology as Main Challenge

Excise Share of Total Taxation Continues to Decline, OECD Reports

Print Versus Digital Report Offers Key Insights for Authentication

Mechanical and Plant Engineering Study Reveals Lower Piracy but Higher Cybersecurity Challenges

Reconnaissance Reference Glossary

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 3

Smartphone Report Released

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 2

WCO Reports the Current State of Illicit Tobacco and Alcohol Seizures

The Exploding Growth of Free Trade Zones: Challenges and Opportunities – Part 1

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