Keeping counterfeit and fraudulent items out of the nuclear supply chain

摘要

In light of specific instances where counterfeit items have been found at nuclear plants, updated industry guidance is being developed to improve detection and identify risk mitigation options. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency estimates that counterfeiting costs U.S. industry 750,000 jobs annually. Thousands more jobs are at risk around the world. In federal fiscal year 2008, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Customs and Border Protection agency made more than 14,000 seizures of counterfeited goods, valued at more than $272.7 million, representing a 38% increase in value over 2007. Enormous growth of new manufacturing capabilities in regions such as Asia has increased the number of counterfeit, fraudulent, and substandard items (CFSIs) that make their way into the supply chain. Recent high-profile examples related to pharmaceuticals, pet food, and lead paint in toys highlight the extent of the issue and the growing level of concern. Further, with counterfeiters acquiring and using increasingly sophisticated methods and capabilities, CFSIs could end up in the inventories and products of unknowing legitimate suppliers unless measures are taken to ensure otherwise.