ASPA's TAF Connect 2026 focuses on anti-counterfeiting and traceability solutions

The multi-billion-dollar menace of counterfeiting and product diversion is pushing brand owners to the technological brink. The response is a full-scale digital defence. This is the central theme of TAF Connect 2026 — Trust. Track. Transform, a high-stakes one-day conference that kicked off today, 16 March, at the Novotel Mumbai International Airport.

The conference began with the official release of the ASPA–CRISIL State of Counterfeiting in India 2025 report, offering data-led intelligence on supply chain vulnerabilities across high-risk sectors. Prior to the launch, two addresses set the tone for the day. Rajesh Kumar Mishra, IRS, director, Indian Institute of Packaging and additional DGFT Mumbai, spoke about the evolving role of policy and industry collaboration in tackling counterfeiting. This was followed by an address from Dr Keshav Kumar, former joint director CBI, director general of police and director, anti-corruption bureau, Gujarat.

Throughout the day, discussions are expected to move beyond awareness towards the implementation of robust authentication and traceability solutions across vulnerable sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture and FMCG. Industry leaders from organisations including Polycab India, Mankind Pharma, UPL, Tata Consumer Products, Mondelez and Amazon India are participating, with the shared goal of transforming India’s supply chains into what many describe as “impenetrable digital fortresses”.

The conference programme includes several focused sessions addressing sector-specific risks and solutions.

The session on Adoption of Authentication and Traceability explores the foundations of safeguarding India’s growth, with participation from industry players including Polycab India, Mankind Pharma and Crystal Crop Protection.

Pharma Without Compromise focuses on technology-driven protection across the pharmaceutical supply chain, addressing risks from manufacturing to the patient, with insights from experts including representatives from Alembic Pharmaceuticals.

In the agricultural sector, Agri Integrity examines how traceability solutions can strengthen the farm-to-field ecosystem, with contributions from leaders at UPL and Insecticides (India).

Meanwhile, Securing Everyday Essentials investigates strategies to combat FMCG counterfeits through smart packaging and digital technologies. The session features supply chain leaders from Tata Consumer Products and Mondelez (Cadbury India), alongside a presentation on transparency initiatives from Amazon India.

The regulatory dimension is addressed in Standards That Safeguard, a dialogue on policy, compliance and consumer protection featuring a special address from Dr Keshav Kumar.

From covert packaging technologies to digital twin systems and smart traceability platforms, TAF Connect 2026 showcases the next generation of solutions designed to transform India’s supply chains from vulnerable pathways into secure, digitally enabled networks.

Hosted by the Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), the conference has drawn more than 150 senior stakeholders, including regulators, supply chain specialists and technology providers. The event is positioned as a platform not only to highlight the scale of the counterfeiting challenge but also to accelerate the deployment of authentication and traceability technologies across industries.