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Track and Trace

Digital Versus Physical in the Era of AI and Quantum Computing

During the 2025 Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™, Francis Tuffy of Reconnaissance International chaired a panel discussion on the role of physical security features in an increasingly digital landscape, where artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing (QC) are coming to the fore.

Free - April 29, 2025 midnight

A Deep Dive into Quantum Tech for Tax Stamps

Last month, we spoke to the CEO of Quantum Base, a new International Tax Stamp Association member that brings quantum technology to traditional printing techniques to create virtually uncounterfeitable tax stamps. This month, we’re diving deeper into this technology and exploring how it could revolutionise revenue collection and traceability.

Interviews - April 29, 2025 midnight

ITSA Appoints New Chairman as it Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Following its 7th Annual General Meeting, held in April 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa – on the occasion of the Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ – the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new chairman, and the re-election of two directors, as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding.

ITSA - April 29, 2025 midnight

TSTF 2025 – The Best Forum Yet?

The recent Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ (TSTF) has been hailed by some as the best TSTF ever. Yet, the overall number of delegates in attendance (170) was low compared to previous events (over 200). So, why was this 12th edition deemed so successful? Let’s take a look.

Events - April 29, 2025 midnight

Drug Counterfeiting in India Exposes Vulnerability of QR Codes to Cloning

India is currently facing regulatory uncertainty around authentication and traceability regulations. While on one hand it recently amended its Central Goods & Services Tax (CGST) Act to allow for the introduction of tobacco traceability, on the other hand it has rolled back key measures for pharmaceuticals – possibly due to the increasingly widespread copying of genuine QR codes for track and trace onto counterfeit drugs.

Illicit Trade - April 3, 2025 midnight

Revised Tax Stamp Standard Moves to Next Stage

The revised and updated international standard for tax stamps has passed through an important stage in its formal adoption by ISO (International Organization for Standards), advancing from a Working Draft to a Committee Draft. The standard provides guidance and best practice recommendations to revenue authorities, but is also relevant to suppliers as it will help them appreciate the approach of their actual or potential customers.

Standards - April 3, 2025 midnight

The Exaggerated Estimates of Pakistan’s Illicit Cigarette Trade

In March, the tobacco industry launched an extensive media campaign, making exaggerated claims about the illegal cigarette trade in Pakistan and advocating for tax reductions. This campaign has been widely publicised, attempting to paint a picture of rampant illicit trade in the cigarette market, allegedly causing significant revenue losses to the government. However, the data and methodologies used to support these claims appear to be misleading, creating an inflated perception of the extent of the problem.

Illicit Trade - April 3, 2025 midnight

Colour-Changing Smart Materials for Rapid Authentication

At the recent High Security Printing™ EMEA conference in Basel, Switzerland, Dr Alexander Brannan from the University of Manchester, and Gary Spinks of Security Fibres UK, presented advances in colour-changing smart materials designed for rapid authentication. This technology addresses key issues in anticounterfeiting by integrating academic research with industrial application.

Technology - March 18, 2025 midnight

Metrc Launches Cannabis QR Code Pilot in Canada

Two cannabis businesses in the Canadian province of Alberta – Token Naturals and Plantlife Cannabis – together with US technology company Metrc, are launching a pilot project in Alberta to improve the transparency and safety of cannabis products.

Technology - March 5, 2025 midnight

News in Brief

Oman has announced changes to the implementation timeframe and scope for extending its tax stamp and digital traceability programme to excisable drinks.

Organisations - March 5, 2025 midnight

Stamping Out Fraud and Tax Evasion

Tax stamps have been around since the late 17th century and were originally embossed or impressed on products or documents. Today, they have evolved from simple adhesive labels into sophisticated tools that play a crucial role in revenue protection and tax compliance.

Tax - March 5, 2025 midnight

US Health Group Calls for Tobacco Traceability

The American Lung Association (ALA) has called for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to propose and finalise regulations to implement track and trace technology on all tobacco products to prevent illicit trade, including counterfeiting and smuggling activities.

Track and Trace - March 5, 2025 midnight

The Digital/Physical Debate in the Face of Threats from AI and Quantum Computing

Across the tax stamp and traceability sector, several concurrent technologies are forcing change: digitisation, the impact of AI, and the prospect of quantum computing. There is no doubt that, individually, these technologies offer convenience and efficiency, but should we be concerned about the interplay between them and whether they could lead to a new set of threats?

Technology - March 5, 2025 midnight