Authentix, Inc., the global leader in authentication, today refuted the
recent IBN broadcast report that misrepresents the Authentix kerosene
marking program in India from October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008.
Authentix is investigating the nature of the claims and
misrepresentations in the report to determine proper legal recourse.
The story contains a myriad of factual errors including the technology
selection process, the length of the program, pricing specifics and the
reason the program was stopped. Indeed the report states that the
contract was awarded to UK-based Authentix, when in fact it was also
awarded to Swiss-based SGS, the world’s largest certification and
inspection firm. SGS provided the overall program management and
infrastructure for marking and testing, while Authentix provided the
authentication technology system to SGS.
“Statements in the report that there were 'irregularities in the deal,'
that the Company’s authentication solution was arbitrarily awarded or
that the pricing for the fuel markers was in any way inappropriate are
simply false and Authentix challenges IBN to publish any factual
information supporting these statements,” said David Moxam, CEO and
Chairman of Authentix. Authentix has an international reputation as an
upstanding leader in the authentication industry with the highest
integrity and takes allegations of inappropriate conduct or behavior
seriously.
The claim that Authentix markers can be tampered with commercially is
unsubstantiated and sensationalistic reporting. While the Authentix
kerosene marking program was in place, nationwide forensic testing and
analysis revealed that fuel marker laundering was not occurring anywhere
in India. “Along with reporting incorrect information as fact, there’s a
big chunk of this story that IBN blatantly ignored,” said Moxam. “What
IBN fails to mention is that the kerosene marker program was working. It
was effective and not only did it save Indian taxpayers money, it helped
ensure that India’s poorest received the kerosene needed for cooking and
heating. The fact that there is no marking program in place right now
means that those involved in the illicit fuel trade are having a field
day.”
Indeed, in an affidavit filed before the High Court of Delhi in January
2009, an official with the Ministry of Oil and Gas stated, “the kerosene
marker system was indeed an effective and efficacious means of
preventing adulteration.” The official goes on to describe the marker
system as “very successful.”
Thanks to the marking program, some 1,000 retail outlets illegally
selling road fuel adulterated with government-subsidized kerosene were
identified. Diesel sales in India increased during the program, another
fact that underscores the success of the program. Now, with no program
in place, sales of illegally adulterated road fuel have been increasing.
In fact there are a number of recent instances where the poor in the
certain parts of India are being deprived of their quota of kerosene.
Authentix has a long-established track record of helping governments
recoup billions of dollars that would otherwise be lost to the illicit
fuel trade and Authentix welcomes the chance to speak directly with
representatives of IBN in an effort to set the record straight.
ABOUT AUTHENTIX
As the global leader in authentication solutions for brand protection
and excise tax recovery, Authentix® is on the frontlines of the battle
against counterfeiting and smuggling. Authentix offers a wide array of
world-class solutions that are based on innovative nano-scale
engineering and mass serialization so that brand integrity can be
preserved as products move through the supply chain. Authentix’
solutions safeguard consumers from harmful products and prevent profits
and tax revenues from being lost to illegal activities, such as
terrorism. With clients including Fortune 500 companies and national
governments, Authentix has recovered over $5 billion in lost revenues in
the last 5 years in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical and medical device,
tobacco, spirits, and consumer goods industries. In addition, our
expertise in the fields of security documents, currency and homeland
security applications helps to protect the very fabric of our society.
For more information, please visit www.authentix.com.