News
From Stamps to Systems: Why ITSA Has a New Name
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) has adopted a new name that reflects a major shift in the technologies and systems used to control regulated products.
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ITSA Takes Aim at Fake Tax Stamps Sold Online
In today’s hyper-connected global marketplace, fake tax stamps and security markings are made accessible by criminals on non-law-abiding internet platforms, particularly in regions where enforcement is weak and cross-border e-commerce flourishes. While these forged labels are of poor quality, their
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ITSA Raises Concern Over Weakened DPP Provisions
This summer, the draft versions of several European standards for digital product passports (DPPs) were published for public review and enquiry. One of these drafts – prEN 18246:2025 – covers the authentication, reliability and integrity of DPP data, with the aim of minimising product fraud and coun
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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 cele
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The Strength of a ‘Phygital’ Approach
Combining physical and digital elements on tax stamps ensures that the strengths of both are exploited, and the weaknesses of each are covered. The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is pleased to announce the launch of a social media campaign examining the topic in depth, featuring quotes f
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ITSA Seminar for Latin American Tax Authorities – A Review
As has thankfully become a bit of a tradition again, post-COVID, ITSA (International Tax Stamp Association) recently held a pre-conference seminar on the occasion of the High Security Printing™ Latin America conference, which this year took place in Santiago, Chile. With a focus on the importance of
Interviews
Interview with an ITSA Member – JURA
In our second 2024 interview with members of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), we speak to Barna Barabás, Co-Managing Director of JURA, a global brand name in security printing. Barna’s responsibilities lie in research and development, marketing, and operations, while Co-Managing Direc
Interviews
Interview with an ITSA Member – OpSec Security
In the first of our 2024 interview series, we explore the tax stamp industry from an insider perspective, delving into its challenges, opportunities, and potential developments with International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members. This month, the insights are courtesy of Steven Proudfoot, Product
Interviews
Interviews with ITSA Members 2023 – Common Threads and Differences
Last year, we launched a series of interviews with International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members to collect personal insights into the advances, challenges and possible future developments shaping the tax stamp industry’s evolution. In this article, we look back at common threads that emerged a
Interviews
Interview with an ITSA Member – Uflex
This month, we are pleased to present the latest entry in our ongoing interview series exploring the professional perspectives of International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members. Our interview this month is with Mr G P Pathak, Sr Vice President of Uflex Ltd’s Holography Division. Mr Pathak, with
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ITSA Counters Claim that Tax Stamp-Based Track and Trace Not Compatible with FCTC Protocol
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) has responded to a claim by economic advisory firm Oxford Economics (OE) that tax stamp-based track and trace systems are not compatible with the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, while ‘fully digital’ solutions, based on
Interviews
Interview with LEONHARD KURZ
This month, we have a new entry in our ongoing interview series investigating the experiences of International Tax Stamp Association members, diving into their personal perspectives on the tax industry, today’s challenges and opportunities, and tomorrow’s potential advances. Thomas Brücklmeier.
Interviews
Interview with APO Production Unit
This month, we continue our interview series exploring the experiences of International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members, who offer personal perspectives on the tax industry, today’s challenges and opportunities, and tomorrow’s potential progress. Jaime H Aldaba Jr. Our eighth interview is with
Interviews
Interview with an ITSA Member – SICPA
We continue our interview series exploring the perspective of International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members, who offer some of their experiences within the tax stamp industry, and their predictions of challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our fifth interview – following Luminescence Sun
Interviews
On The Record with Gerben van Wijk, Luminescence Sun Chemical Security
Gerben van Wijk is Sales and Marketing Director of Luminescence Sun Chemical Security (LSCS) and has been a Board Member of the International Tax Stamp Association since 2018, taking over as Chair in May 2022. In a recent interview, he sat down with Tax Stamp & Traceability News™ to explain the orig
Interviews
Interview with an ITSA Member – Authentix
This month, we continue our series of interviews with members of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), who share their experiences of the tax stamp industry and look ahead to some of the challenges and opportunities yet to come. We began the series in the February issue, talking to Gerben
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ITSA Appoints New Board and Chairman
Following its 5th Annual General Meeting, held in May 2022 in Malta, during the Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum, the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) has appointed three directors to its board. Furthermore, ITSA is pleased to announce the appointment of a new chairman. The three directors a
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ITSA CALLS FOR EU TPD IMPROVEMENTS
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is calling for improvements to a directive that controls the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products in the European Union. ITSA believes that while the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which is currently undergoing a mandatory review
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ITSA Welcomes New Member
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is delighted to announce that a new member has joined its ranks as of August 2021: Demax Holograms Plc, headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. As well as being a leading security printer, Demax Holograms is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of securit
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ITSA Appoints New Board
Following its 4th Annual General Meeting, held in May 2021, the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) has appointed four directors to its board. Juan Carlos Yañez Arenas of Thomas Greg & Sons, Gerben van Wijk of Luminescence Sun Chemical Security and Zbigniew Sagan of Advanced Track & Trace, ha
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ITSA Calls for Tax Stamp Clarity
The International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is urging greater clarity around the definition of the tax stamps used to secure excise revenues from tobacco and alcohol products. The move comes in the wake of the continued misuse of the term ‘tax stamp’ by some sector solution providers, which is ra
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ITSA in Tobacco Reporter – April 2021
Nicola Sudan, ITSA General Secretary, tells Tobacco Reporter how the massive rise in illicit trade during the pandemic is expected to boost demand for security and authentication devices to better protect brands, as well as secure government tax revenues (pages 36 and 38)
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ITSA hits back over tax stamp criticism
Amended version of press release dated 22 May 2020, which contained erroneous information. A high-profile trade association has responded to criticism of tax stamps in a new report on the impact of blockchain technology on excise duty payments. The study by Deloitte highlights the potential benefits
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Recruitment campaign aims to stamp out fraudulent trade
Building on its success, ITSA is now looking to widen its membership base to include government authorities, universities, foundations, NGOs and other associations.