FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GMA CALLS FOR INITIATIVES TO END PRODUCT COUNTERFEITING
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
June 15, 2005, Washington, DC Testifying before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee today, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) called for a renewed focus on preventing counterfeiting and protecting consumers from unsafe, counterfeit products. GMA also detailed the negative impact counterfeit products have on the U.S. and global economies.
In his testimony, Steve Arthur, GMA vice president of government affairs, outlined several measures that would help prevent counterfeiting, including:
1. Developing purchasing guidelines for manufacturers and retailers to ensure that global supply chains are free of illicit goods, a project on which GMA is partnering with other consumer products and retail trade associations to advance.
2. Quantifying and reporting the scope of product counterfeiting globally in terms of damage to copyright holders and to consumers through the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's current anti-counterfeiting project.
3. Securing Senate approval of the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act (H.R. 32), which would give U.S. law enforcement officials the ability to confiscate the equipment and assets used by criminals to produce counterfeit products and labels.
"Counterfeiting is far more pervasive than street vendors selling fake luxury goods. In fact, counterfeiting drains $350 billion each year from the world's economy. And each dollar lost by law-abiding, hard-working Americans and companies winds up lining the pockets criminals," Arthur testified.
The illegal sale of counterfeit goods causes significant harm to the U.S. economy. According to the U.S. Customs Service, counterfeiting has resulted in the loss of 750,000 American jobs. Product counterfeiting is often part of larger criminal enterprises involving organized retail theft and is used to finance illegal activities. Industries targeted by counterfeiters include consumer products, automotive parts, electronics, pharmaceutical, textiles and others.
GMA is a member of the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy, which works with the government's Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) initiative.
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The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world¡¦s leading branded food, beverage and consumer products companies. Since 1908, GMA has been an advocate for its members on public policy issues and has championed initiatives to increase industrywide productivity and growth. GMA member companies employ more than 2.5 million workers in all 50 states and account for more than $680 billion in sales. GMA is led by a board of member company chief executives. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmabrands.com.
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Based in Washington, D.C., the Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe. Founded in 1908, GMA is an active, vocal advocate for its member companies and a trusted source of information about the industry and the products consumers rely on and enjoy every day. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders. In keeping with its founding principles, GMA helps its members produce safe products through a strong and ongoing commitment to scientific research, testing and evaluation and to providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. The food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry in the United States generates sales of $2.1 trillion annually, employs 14 million workers and contributes $1 trillion in added value to the economy every year.
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