July 10, 2026|Virtual Mode
FICCI CASCADE hosted a Twitter Podcast session titled “Empowering Consumers to Combat Counterfeiting & Smuggling,” on July 10, 2026, featuring Prof Bejon Kumar Misra, Founder, Consumer Online Foundation, who offered valuable insights into the growing threat that counterfeit and smuggled goods pose to consumer health, safety, and the wider economy.
Prof. Misra observed that counterfeiting and smuggling have evolved beyond being mere economic offences and now pose significant threats to public health, consumer safety, and national security. Referring to estimates by the OECD and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, he noted that the global trade in counterfeit goods is valued at nearly USD 467 billion, accounting for approximately 2.3% of global trade. In India, as per the FICCI CASCADE study, illicit trade across five major sectors alone is estimated to be worth nearly Rs. 7.9 lakh crore. He highlighted that counterfeit medicines endanger lives, fake electrical products often lead to fire hazards, and counterfeit automobile parts have been linked to serious road accidents. Additionally, the loss of GST, customs duties, and tax revenues resulting from illicit trade deprives the government of valuable resources that could otherwise be invested in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Emphasizing the importance of responsible consumer behaviour, Prof. Misra stated that price should never be the sole determining factor in a purchase and cautioned consumers against products offered at prices that appear too good to be true. He advocated introducing consumer awareness at the school level to nurture informed and responsible purchasing habits among future generations. He advised consumers to purchase products only from authorized and trusted sellers, carefully verify seller ratings and reviews on e-commerce platforms, look for QR codes and other authentication features, insist on proper invoices, and remain vigilant of unusually steep discounts. Highlighting the role of technology, he also talked on the increasing use of artificial intelligence, blockchain-enabled digital product passports, serialization, and tamper-evident packaging as effective tools for product authentication, while stressing that their widespread adoption is essential to maximize their impact.
Speaking on policy interventions, Prof. Misra underscored the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to combat illicit trade. He called for faster investigations, timely prosecution, and stronger punitive measures against organized counterfeiting and smuggling networks. He further emphasized the importance of globally harmonized digital traceability systems, enhanced cross-border intelligence sharing, and stricter due diligence obligations for e-commerce platforms. He also highlighted the important role played by the Central Consumer Protection Authority under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the National Consumer Helpline, and sectoral regulators in protecting consumer interests. Stressing the power of public participation, he remarked that an informed consumer is the strongest ally in the fight against illicit trade, adding that counterfeit and smuggled products are never a bargain but always come with hidden social and economic costs.
Commending FICCI CASCADE for its sustained efforts in combating illicit trade, Prof. Misra described the initiative as one of the few industry-led platforms undertaking evidence-based research, capacity-building programmes, and multi-stakeholder engagement involving policymakers, enforcement agencies, the judiciary, academia, industry, and consumers. He concluded by emphasizing that eliminating counterfeiting and smuggling is integral to India’s vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, calling for collective action from all stakeholders to build a safer, more transparent, and resilient economy.
