The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) successfully hosted TAF Connect 2026 – Trust. Track. Transform., its flagship conference, in Mumbai. Marking the first regional edition of the platform, the event brought together policymakers, enforcement agencies, leading brands, and government representatives to accelerate action against counterfeiting in India.
Held at Novotel Mumbai International Airport, the conference saw participation from over 150 delegates, including leading brands across FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture sectors, and representatives from key government and regulatory bodies.
Addressing the gathering, Rajesh Kumar Mishra, IRS, director, Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) and additional director general of foreign trade (DGFT), Mumbai, emphasized the urgency of tackling counterfeiting and its impact on consumer trust, public health, and the economy. “The scale of counterfeiting in India is not a business problem alone; it is a national security and public health emergency. Packaging and authentication technologies are among our strongest weapons, and we must deploy them at scale.”
The event was supported by 15 partners, 8 media partners, and 4 industry associations, reflecting strong cross-sector collaboration in combating counterfeiting. TAF Connect 2026 focused on three critical sectors most impacted by counterfeiting – pharma, agriculture, and FMCG, through focused panel discussions and solution showcases. The event also included five technical presentations showcasing advanced authentication and traceability solutions across sectors.
A highlight of the conference was the launch of ASPA’s industry report in collaboration with CRISIL, which set the context for discussions on the scale and impact of counterfeiting in India.
The ASPA–CRISIL ‘State of Counterfeiting in India 2025’ report uncovers the deep and widespread penetration of counterfeit goods across Indian markets, with 35% of consumers encountering fake products in just the past year and a staggering 89% admitting to having purchased one at least once. Consumers estimate that nearly 29% of products in local markets could be counterfeit, while 74% believe the problem has worsened over the past year. The study highlights high exposure across sectors such as apparel (31%), FMCG (27%), automotive parts (22%), consumer durables (18%), and critical categories like pharmaceuticals and agro products, where counterfeits pose serious risks to health, safety, and farm productivity. These insights reinforce the urgent need for stronger authentication, traceability, and industry collaboration to combat this escalating threat. The full report is available for free download on the ASPA website.
Keshav Kumar, IPS (retd.), forensic advisor to the Government of Assam and honorary member of ASPA, said, “Counterfeit investigations today rely heavily on forensic science, authentication, and traceability technologies. Platforms like TAF connect play a critical role in connecting regulators, enforcement agencies, and forensic experts to share data, uncover patterns, and strengthen the investigation ecosystem. By integrating forensic insights with advanced verification methods, we can protect consumer health, safeguard brand integrity, and support national security. Collaborative efforts and technology-driven platforms are essential to effectively combat counterfeiting.”
The conference featured a video message from Pawan Singh, IPS, DIG Cybercrime, Uttar Pradesh. Speaking on the occasion, ASPA president Ankit Gupta said, “The time to act against counterfeiting is now. Through platforms like TAF Connect, we aim to bring together industry, government, and solution providers to drive large-scale adoption of authentication and traceability technologies across sectors.”
The conference concluded with practical dialogues on collaborative implementation, reinforcing ASPA’s commitment to safeguarding brands, securing supply chains, and protecting consumers across India.
