Organizations that manufacture goods or arrange for the manufacture of goods for sale are plagued by the introduction of counterfeit raw materials, components which results in a compromised finished product. This lack of authenticity of the overall product can impact the functionality and quality of the product and as well as diminishing the market recognition and acceptance of the brand. It could also result in additional liability for the manufacture if the product fails or cause injury to the consumer.

Incorporating Digital Signatures to establish authenticity in the manufacturing and distribution process is appropriate to all types of products from OEM parts, medicines, electronics, software, jewelry, apparel, children’s toys…etc. Think about the value top you and your customers to know that the product they purchased is the real McCoy and not a low cost, low quality counterfeit substitution. Think about the legal and negative brand impact of consumers being injured by counterfeit product with “your” name on the label.

We work with manufactures and/or retailers who contract with manufactures for privately branded products to institute digital signatures throughout the supply chain, manufacturing and distribution process. These digital signatures can be incorporated into existing RFID or other electronic tracking devices to ensure a higher level of accountability and significantly reducing the flow of counterfeit goods into the marketplace.

What’s different about our approach to Introducing digital signatures into the manufacturing and distribution process is the requirement to confirm the identity of each individual with approval authority. This establishes a level of accountability that the materials, components, and processes are within the established specification for the product.

Establishing the “Signing Individual’s” identity follows our IDQA (Identity Quality Assurance) and Enrollment procedure which is used to verify the identity of the individuals, Signing Officer, who is entrusted with signing off at the different steps in the process. An example of check points where we could institute digital signatures and accountability are:

• Supplier of Materials for Manufacturer – materials / components match the end customer’s specifications
• Manufacturer – incoming materials are checked ensure they match the end customer’s specifications
• Manufacturer – goods produced are authentic and not copies
• Forwarder – goods are picked up from manufacturer
• Forwarder -  goods are stored prior to shipment
• Forwarder – goods are released to shipping company
• Customs acknowledgement outbound – if off coming from offshore
• Shipping company – goods are accepted for shipment
• Shipping company for transit (may be multiple transit in  / out points)
• Customer acknowledgement in bound – if coming from offshore
• Shipping company or other delivery organization delivers goods to customer
• End customer receives goods
  • Into warehouse
  • Into retail
  • Into customer facility for work
• Customer verifies authenticity via their smart phone

Establishing a higher level of accountability throughout the manufacturing and distribution process results in reduction if not an elimination of the possibility that counterfeit goods get through to the end consumer.

If you would like to learn more about how AuthentiGoods can help address counterfeit goods in your supply chain and distribution process through establishing a higher level of authenticity and accountability for your products, please contact us through the information request form below.