By Shrinivas Torvi
Due to the high demand for cheaper alternatives, the operations of criminal networks and weaknesses in regulatory frameworks, the counterfeit spare parts trade has lately become a big issue in Kenya.
Often smuggled through porous borders where they are declared as raw materials to avoid proper customs inspection and duties, or mixed with genuine shipments to make it difficult for customs officials and even authorized dealers to identify them at the point of entry, these items pose serious threats to road safety.
Some online platforms have also become channels for the sale of counterfeit parts, expanding their reach and making it even harder to track and control their distribution to the consumers.
Figures from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) show that while street vendors still dominate 60 percent of counterfeit purchases, 31.27 percent of purchases now take place online.
While they may appear to be cheaper at the onset, counterfeit parts can be very costly in the long run, because they are often manufactured with substandard materials, which makes them degrade quickly, thus requiring frequent replacement.
Quite often, counterfeit parts such as brake pads, steering linkages, airbags, oil filters, spark plugs and engine parts do not fit properly on vehicles, which can cause mechanical issues, failure under stress, vehicle malfunctions and breakdowns.
These issues not only increase the maintenance and repair costs for vehicle owners, but they also greatly endanger the lives of drivers, passengers and other road users.
The counterfeit trade also has serious implications on the economy, resulting in the loss of approximately Sh800 billion annually according to the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), not to mention resultant job losses and reduced investor confidence.
While Kenyans are today more aware of counterfeit products, the ACA observes that many consumers (30 percent), still struggle to distinguish between genuine and fake products.
In order to safeguard the consumer, more innovative solutions for identifying whether or not a product is genuine, need to be developed and deployed in the market.
For example, legitimate manufacturers can develop anti-counterfeit labels with security features, such as QR codes or serial numbers, to enable consumers to verify product authenticity using smartphone applications.
Companies such as TATA, which have already developed solutions that allows users to scan parts using barcode scanners to confirm their legitimacy, can be used as benchmarks.
In addition, consumers should be educated by manufacturers and regulatory bodies about the dangers of counterfeit parts, including safety risks, poor performance among others.
While cautioning against suspiciously low prices, emphasis should be placed on purchasing from authorized dealerships and trusted suppliers. Manufacturers should also establish channels for consumers to report suspected counterfeit products.
The Writer is Workshop Head, Tata International Kenya
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