Holography trade body welcomes new international standard

The trade body representing the global hologram industry has welcomed the first international standard to provide guidance for businesses on protecting their products from counterfeits.

ISO 12931 covers ‘Performance criteria for authentication solutions used to combat counterfeiting of material goods’ and will bring significant benefits to the hologram industry, says the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA).

The IHMA, which was involved from an early stage in developing the standard, says ISO 12931 offers new and objective guidance for brand owners and other rights holders on how to proceed when it comes to protecting their products from counterfeiters using security devices like holograms.

Although not specifically referenced, ‘holography’ or a ‘hologram’ meets the only two types of authentication systems identified by the standard – overt and covert, says Ian M Lancaster, IHMA general secretary, who was a member of the ISO committee that produced ISO 12931.

He says that prior to the standard, brand owners and other rights holders relied on authentication device providers to guide them through the requirements for the protection of their material goods, which was less than ideal.

‘Now, brand owners will be equipped with an objective guide to how to proceed, which will encourage more to take counterfeiting seriously and look at developing effective strategies to protect against it.’

He added that ISO 12931 will promote the use of authentication systems, particularly encouraging the use of overt and covert technology – functional categories which can be combined in one hologram.

‘The new standard is a significant step forward and will bring welcome benefits to the hologram industry. It is now up to secure hologram suppliers to build compliance with ISO 12931 in to their marketing materials and training.’

ISO 12931 is available to download from www.iso.org/iso/home/store and will also be available from national standards agencies.

Click here for more about IHMA on L&L.com.