In today’s hyper-connected global marketplace, fake tax stamps and security markings are made accessible by criminals on non-law-abiding internet platforms, particularly in regions where enforcement is weak and cross-border e-commerce flourishes. While these forged labels are of poor quality, their
This webinar took place on 24 September 2025, and was previously only available to ITSA members. It is now publicly available and can be viewed at this link. About This Webinar As an increasing number of governments move toward implementing track and trace systems to control their excisable goods su
This summer, the draft versions of several European standards for digital product passports (DPPs) were published for public review and enquiry. One of these drafts – prEN 18246:2025 – covers the authentication, reliability and integrity of DPP data, with the aim of minimising product fraud and coun
In the February 2024 issue of Tax Stamp & Traceability News™, we described how the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) had submitted recommendations1 for a secure and interoperable implementation of the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and
The purpose of this document, prepared by the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), is to offer recommendations for a secure and interoperable implementation of the European Union’s (EU) Digital Product Passport (DPP). The DPP is likely to have a far-reaching effect on product traceability sys
Combining physical and digital elements on tax stamps ensures that the strengths of both are exploited, and the weaknesses of each are covered. The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is pleased to announce the launch of a social media campaign examining the topic in depth, featuring quotes f
In this month’s interview with a member of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), we delve into Thailand’s tax stamp and security printing market courtesy of Chanwanich CEO Ronnachai Kongboonma, exploring how the nation’s industry has developed over the past century and how it’s likely to e
In the first of our 2024 interview series, we explore the tax stamp industry from an insider perspective, delving into its challenges, opportunities, and potential developments with International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members. This month, the insights are courtesy of Steven Proudfoot, Product
Last year, we launched a series of interviews with International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members to collect personal insights into the advances, challenges and possible future developments shaping the tax stamp industry’s evolution. In this article, we look back at common threads that emerged a
This month, we are pleased to present the latest entry in our ongoing interview series exploring the professional perspectives of International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members. Our interview this month is with Mr G P Pathak, Sr Vice President of Uflex Ltd’s Holography Division. Mr Pathak, with
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) has responded to a claim by economic advisory firm Oxford Economics (OE) that tax stamp-based track and trace systems are not compatible with the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, while ‘fully digital’ solutions, based on
This month, we have a new entry in our ongoing interview series investigating the experiences of International Tax Stamp Association members, diving into their personal perspectives on the tax industry, today’s challenges and opportunities, and tomorrow’s potential advances. Thomas Brücklmeier.
In a world where tobacco and other excisable goods are exposed to high levels of illicit trade, the role of tax stamp programmes and other countermeasures naturally becomes the subject of debate and scrutiny by stakeholders. When done in a neutral and unbiased way, such debate contributes to enrichi
We continue our interview series exploring the perspective of International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members, who offer some of their experiences within the tax stamp industry, and their predictions of challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our fifth interview – following Luminescence Sun
This month, we continue our series of interviews with members of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), who share their experiences of the tax stamp industry and look ahead to some of the challenges and opportunities yet to come. We began the series in the February issue, talking to Gerben
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is calling for improvements to a directive that controls the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products in the European Union. ITSA believes that while the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which is currently undergoing a mandatory review
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is delighted to announce that a new member has joined its ranks as of August 2021: Demax Holograms Plc, headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. As well as being a leading security printer, Demax Holograms is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of securit
Following its 4th Annual General Meeting, held in May 2021, the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) has appointed four directors to its board. Juan Carlos Yañez Arenas of Thomas Greg & Sons, Gerben van Wijk of Luminescence Sun Chemical Security and Zbigniew Sagan of Advanced Track & Trace, ha
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is urging greater clarity around the definition of the tax stamps used to secure excise revenues from tobacco and alcohol products. The move comes in the wake of the continued misuse of the term ‘tax stamp’ by some sector solution providers, which is ra
Nicola Sudan, ITSA General Secretary, tells Tobacco Reporter how the massive rise in illicit trade during the pandemic is expected to boost demand for security and authentication devices to better protect brands, as well as secure government tax revenues (pages 36 and 38)
Trade bodies, government officials and NGOs have highlighted the crucial role of tax stamp and traceability programmes in boosting government finances strained by the COVID-19 pandemic. An online webinar held by the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) brought together 160 stakeholders from ar
Its aim is to contribute to the work being carried out on implementing a tobacco track and trace system compliant with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and its Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (Protocol).
ITSA has criticised the decision to reject its legal claim against the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), calling it “disappointing and curious”.
Building on its success, ITSA is now looking to widen its membership base to include government authorities, universities, foundations, NGOs and other associations.
Guidelines issued – To encourage compliance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) has produced an advisory note that analyses the different stages of a full track and trace system.
This legal opinion relates to the interpretation of article 15 of the tobacco directive of theEuropean Parliament and the Council of 3 April 20141 and its relationship with article 8 of theProtocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products2, adopted in Seoul on 12 November 2012. In particular,