Detection of Counterfeit Commodity Goods

The program will provide methods for detection of counterfeit consumer goods along the entire supply chain. In Phase I, key stakeholders in federal agencies will share their knowledge and describe the critical requirements necessary for successful detection techniques. An inventory of high impact authentic/counterfeit products and materials will be generated. Using TIAX's Macro to Micro Assessment Methodology, an assessment will be made to determine if laboratory analytical techniques can (1) detect inferior materials in counterfeit products and (2) identify and measure differences between visually identical authentic and counterfeit products. A survey will identify and critique existing standard sensing technologies that have potential for use as detection tools in the field. The findings from Phase I will be used to design the Phase II program which will demonstrate the feasibility of detecting counterfeit products/materials. The demonstration will be in a laboratory setting but will use existing commercial detection technologies identified in Phase I. In the Phase III program, the successful detection technologies will be transitioned to field deployable systems. Solutions for detection of counterfeit goods will first be marketed and sold for use by various agencies of the Federal Government. These include the U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Custom and Border Protection. Development of commercial applications is a logical next step and it is anticipated that the developed detection technology will migrate directly to industrial applications such as quality control and product development.