Material Handling and Authentication: Lift Your Bottom Line

On the other hand, authentication is the process of confirming that a product or component is genuine. This can involve verifying the source, composition, and quality of materials and ensuring that the product hasn’t been tampered with or faked. Authentication is critical in industries where safety and quality are top priorities, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and aerospace. In recent years, the use of authentication technologies has grown significantly. The increasing need for better supply chain security and product traceability drives this. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global authentication and brand protection market is projected to reach $3.7 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period.

Material handling systems and other pieces of equipment are designed to increase efficiency, lower costs, and improve safety in manufacturing, distribution, or logistics environments. However, in industries where authentication is crucial, material handling systems can also be designed to facilitate authentication and ensure that products are tracked and verified throughout the supply chain. Integrating a wide range of authentication methods and/or features into different types of material handling equipment and systems is crucial to protecting products from counterfeiting and tampering and ensuring they meet the highest safety and quality standards. By incorporating these authentication schemes based on business rules and regulations into material handling systems, businesses can build customer trust and enhance their reputation within the industry. For instance, conveyor belts can be equipped with sensors or scanning technologies that can verify the authenticity of materials as they move through the system. Similarly, automatic guided vehicles (AGV) can be designed to incorporate authentication features such as RFID tags, which can be used to track and verify the authenticity of materials and products as they move throughout the supply chain.

Integrating authentication features into material handling systems can provide various benefits, including improved safety, better quality control, and cost savings. The following are examples of how authentication can benefit material handling:

• Improved Safety: Authentication features can help ensure that materials and products meet the highest safety standards and have not been tampered with or counterfeited. Tamper-evident seals are an example of authentication features that can be used to ensure product safety.
• Better Quality Control: By verifying the authenticity of materials and products, companies can ensure that they are using the highest quality materials in their operations and that their products meet the highest quality standards. Barcodes and QR codes can be used to track and verify the authenticity of materials and products as they move through the supply chain.
• Cost Savings: Authentication features can help reduce the risk of product recalls, which can be costly for businesses in terms of lost revenue, damaged reputation, and legal liabilities. RFID tags can provide real-time tracking information, reducing the risk of lost or stolen products.

There are several authentication features that can be integrated into material handling equipment and systems, such as:

• Tamper-evident seals: These seals are designed to break or show evidence of tampering if someone tries to open or manipulate the package. Tamper-evident seals can be used on containers, boxes, bags, or any other type of packaging.
• Barcodes and QR codes: These codes can be used to track and verify the authenticity of materials and products as they move through the supply chain. They can be scanned using handheld devices or automated scanning systems.
• RFID tags: RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags use radio waves to identify and track products and materials throughout the supply chain. RFID tags can be read by RFID readers, which can be handheld or fixed and can provide real-time tracking information.

The use of authentication features in material handling can also help businesses comply with regulatory requirements, such as those set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation. For instance, the FDA’s Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requires pharmaceutical companies to implement track and trace systems to monitor the movement of prescription drugs through the supply chain. By integrating authentication features into material handling equipment and systems, pharmaceutical companies can comply with the DSCSA and other regulatory requirements while also ensuring the safety and authenticity of their products.