industries

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest and most technologically advanced industries in the world. As medications can be life-critical, it is essential to strictly control the market to prevent counterfeit medications that may contain toxic or dangerous substances. Pharma has become a pioneer of Serialization and Track & Trace as a result. It is usually the first industry to introduce Serialization and Track & Trace regulations in any new country. The industry faces a range of challenging demands due to the high-speed production lines, the variety of consumer packages, contract manufacturing, and specific integrations between manufacturers, suppliers, and logistics providers. Meeting all these demands requires hardware and software that can seamlessly manage manufacturing and logistics processes. Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry with the highest standards and GxP (Good Practices) validations is strictly regulated. Traceability regulations as a rule establish not only validation of serialization codes but also control over batches, expiry dates and each operation including customer sale and withdrawal from circulation.

The tobacco industry is the second largest industry in the world that has Serialization and Track & Trace regulations. The reason for this is the high prevalence of counterfeit goods circulating in the market. The illegal turnover of goods has a significant impact on the state's losses in taxes and excise, as well as on the health and safety of consumers. Compliance with these regulations is complex and requires close attention to detail. The best example of this is the EU TPD in Europe. Currently, numerous countries around the world have introduced regulations mandating the implementation of Serialization and Track & Trace in the tobacco industry. The tobacco industry faces extremely high production speeds and volumes, which set very challenging demands for both hardware and software to ensure seamless manufacturing and logistics processes.

Beer is a regulated alcoholic drink that is subject to laws in many countries worldwide, and in some cases, is even prohibited. However, while there are existing regulations governing the production and distribution of beer, Serialization and Track & Trace regulations have yet to be widely adopted in the industry. Nevertheless, an increasing number of countries are introducing these regulations. The beer industry faces several challenges when implementing Serialization and Track & Trace measures, even with low to medium levels of regulatory complexity. These challenges include large production volumes, ultra-high production line speeds, the use of various materials and consumer package form-factors, and complex distribution practices. To ensure compliance with regulations and protect their businesses, manufacturers and distributors must address these challenges and consider the most effective and efficient ways to implement Serialization and Track & Trace.

Bottled water is one of the most widely consumed consumer products worldwide, and its popularity makes it an easy target for counterfeit producers. In some countries, the share of counterfeit bottled water in the total market can be as high as 25%. Serialization and Track & Trace regulations are often introduced to combat this issue, but the number of countries implementing these measures remains low. Water production typically involves numerous contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) with high-speed production lines for large volumes, and the use of various materials and consumer package form factors. This presents significant challenges for manufacturers and distributors when implementing Serialization and Track & Trace measures to ensure compliance and protect consumers.

Counterfeit products are rampant in the footwear and apparel markets, with millions of illegal sales taking place every year. This not only deprives the government of taxes but also negatively affects consumers in terms of quality and service, while damaging the brands themselves. Serialization and Track & Trace are key measures taken to combat these issues, driven not just by regulations but also by businesses seeking to protect their brands. While only a few countries have currently introduced Serialization and Track & Trace regulations, they tend to be relatively straightforward. As consumer-oriented markets with high importance placed on brand loyalty, the footwear and apparel industries are pioneers in leveraging the benefits of direct-to-consumer communication and marketing associated with Serialization and Track & Trace.

The alcohol market is typically highly regulated, and in some countries, it operates as a black market. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 25% of alcohol in the global market today is counterfeit. Counterfeit alcohol harms producers, the national economy, and poses significant risks to the lives and health of consumers. Serialization has proven to be highly effective and appreciated in other industries, and its advantages in the alcohol industry cannot be overestimated. However, despite the mid to low complexity of Serialization and Track & Trace regulations, they are not widely adopted. Implementing Serialization and Track & Trace measures is crucial in combating counterfeit alcohol and protecting consumers. Manufacturers and distributors must consider the most effective and efficient ways to implement these measures to ensure compliance with regulations and safeguard their businesses and consumers.

Dairy products are widely available in retail outlets, ranging from small shops to hypermarkets. While regulations mandating Serialization and Track & Trace in this industry are less common than in Pharma and Tobacco, they serve the same purpose of protecting consumers and optimizing tax collection. Although less complex, the regulations can still present challenges due to the variety of different product types, consumer package form factors, and short product life cycles. This often requires the purchase of different equipment for serialization or package unification to reduce costs. The extensive logistics involved in the dairy industry, with numerous points of sale and perishable products, make the impact of Serialization and Track & Trace on business processes critical. Manufacturers and distributors must carefully consider how to integrate these measures into their operations to ensure compliance and protect their business interests.

The global home appliance market is a highly competitive and rapidly evolving industry that includes a wide range of products, such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, and other household appliances. This market is driven by factors such as rising disposable income, increasing urbanization, and technological advancements, while also being affected by changing consumer preferences and demands for eco-friendly and energy-efficient appliances. Counterfeiting is a major concern in the industry, particularly with the growing dominance of online trade. Serialization and Track & Trace measures are designed to combat counterfeiting and increase transparency for consumers.