First National Anti-counterfeiting Day
Industrial and commercial counterfeiting today represents 5 to 7% of worldwide trade. The turnover generated by this phenomenon is seriously threatening the national and international economy and its short- and long-term development. In addition to notable economic damage, counterfeit products also constitute a threat for consumer safety.
Italian eyewear, represented by ANFAO, the National Association of Optical Goods Manufacturers, has long been aware of this phenomenon and for years has been leading the fight against counterfeiting. «The First National Anti-counterfeiting Day represents a very important event for out sector», affirms Vittorio Tabacchi, President of ANFAO, in an interview. He was in Strasburg becouse of his recent election as new President of Eurom I. «We are truly proud that Confindustria embraced our proposal to heed this call of alarm by instituting a day of reflection and demonstrations, involving national and local associations, institutions, and law enforcement agencies that are working every day to prevent the spread of this seemingly unstoppable plague.»
Therefore, the event sets the primary objective of increasing the awareness of both companies and citizens on the phenomenon of counterfeiting, intending to become a starting point for further and more effective initiatives to fight the marketing of fake goods, initiatives that have become necessary due to the latest data on this phenomenon.
According to WTO estimates, counterfeit goods account for 8% of worldwide trade, while in 2007 the OECD calculated the overall turnover of counterfeiting at 200 billion dollars. In Italy, the domestic fashion counterfeit market reached approximately 7 billion euro in 2008; more specifically, in just the first 9 months of 2009, the seizure of counterfeit materials amounted to more than 19.5 million pieces. According to Censis estimates, the quashing of counterfeiting would guarantee about 130 thousand new jobs, while direct and indirect damages amount to 18 billion euro.
These impressive figures demonstrate how counterfeiting has become a stand-alone economic sector that will require decisive interventions to be stopped.
«The fact is even more worrying if we think that the economic impact of counterfeiting is even greater on industrial systems like ours, basing the competitiveness on the quality of products», continued Tabacchi. «Our sector is strongly impacted by this threat also due to the dimensions of the product itself, which make it easier to transport, hide, and sell via impromptu channels like street stands, beach mats, and flea market stands.»
The damage takes on various forms and strike companies, the entire manufacturing system, and the end user: from unfair trade practices to unemployment, from losses in State tax revenues to the consequential general damage for society. Furthermore, proceeds from this market fuel organised crime and illegal labour. «In the case of eyewear, the negative effects on the economy and society are further exacerbated by risks for the health of consumers,» explained Tabacchi. «Counterfeit sunglasses (and prescription glasses) expose eyes and vision to risks due to non-compliant lenses, and they can also bring on devastating allergic reactions to the skin caused by the materials used to make the frames.»
For this reason, the National Anti-Counterfeiting Day has also the important objective of reaching the end user. «In Venice we decided to carry out an important protest demonstration,» explained Tabacchi. «On a floating platform in front of Palazzo Labia, in Campo San Geremia, more than 5000 pairs of counterfeit glasses were destroyed by a steamroller, together with Murano glass and shoes, all representing the qualitative excellence of goods produced in north-eastern Italy. A striking message to say “no to knock-offs”.» The event – which was obviously of impressive visual impact - was made possible thanks to the invaluable collaboration of Certottica, the Italian institute for the certification of optical products, leader in the issuing of EC conformity certifications of optical products, which collaborated in the management of the event, together with the Venice branch of Confindustria.
Counterfeiting indiscriminately strikes all players involved in the manufacturing system – companies, the government, institutions, and citizens. This first appointment will now become an annual event to send a strong message: Italy and its manufacturing system have decided to join forces in the battle against counterfeiting.
«It is important that this message reach as many people as possible,» concluded Tabacchi of ANFAO. «The most significant raising of awareness begins with everyday living. All of us can and must convey the message to our collaborators, our families, and everyone around us: buying knock-offs is detrimental to our wallets and even to our health.» Furthermore, it is an enormous and abject damage to entrepreneurship: many years of experience, hard work, and competition are necessary to create an idea; unfortunately, it takes just a few moments to steal it.
