As a printing manufacturer with 12+ years in anti-counterfeiting solutions, I’ve witnessed clients lose millions due to non-compliant materials. In 2024, counterfeit losses in China’s consumer sector exceeded ¥320 billion. This guide consolidates our expertise to help you:
- Avoid fraudulent suppliers
- Source certified materials
- Navigate 2025’s tightened standards
What Defines Legally Compliant Anti-Counterfeiting Paper?
Anti-counterfeiting paper must meet:
- National Standards: GB/T 22258 (labeling), GB/T 23808 (films), JR/T 0153 (banknote durability) .
- Certifications: Issued by the National Anti-Counterfeiting Product Quality Inspection Center (NAQPIC) or CQC .
- Core Features: Irreversible tamper-proof design, machine-readable elements (e.g., watermarks, security threads).
Part 1: Decoding 2025 Certification Requirements
1.1 Mandatory Licenses
Suppliers must hold:
- Anti-Counterfeiting Manufacturing License (NAQPIC-issued) covering security paper, holographic films, and UV inks.
- CQC Certification (e.g., GB/T 17000 for holographic products). Only 37 factories in China currently qualify .
Example: A 2024 Tibet government tender required bidders to submit CQC certificates + ISO 14298 compliance for security printing.
1.2 Key Standards Breakdown
| Standard | Scope | Critical Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| GB/T 22258-2008 | General specs | Tamper-proof design, machine-readable features |
| GB/T 23808-2025 | Security films | ≤0.1mm alignment tolerance for windowed threads |
| JR/T 0153-2022 | Banknote durability | Resists ≥5,000 folds without fiber breakage |
Pro Tip: Verify updates on China’s National Standards Platform .
Part 2: Technical Criteria for Anti-Counterfeiting Paper
2.1 Watermark Paper (Priority for Official Docs)
- Fixed watermarks (e.g., Mao Zedong’s portrait on RMB) require ≤5% grayscale density deviation .
- Nuclear watermarks use ion track tech, exclusively produced by state-controlled facilities.
2.2 Security Threads & Holographic Films
- Magnetic threads: Must generate 12–18mA signals under ISO 10373-2 testing.
- Holographic films: Withstand 50+ scrubbing cycles without layer separation.
Case Study: Zhejiang Jinghua Laser’s holographic paper achieved 29.69% revenue growth in 2024 via UV-curable nano-imprinting.
Part 3: Supplier Evaluation Framework
3.1 Qualification Checklist
✅ Valid business license with “security printing” scope
✅ NAQPIC/CQC certification documents
✅ ≥5% annual R&D investment (audit reports)
3.2 On-Site Audit
- Equipment: BankSTAR PM-WS systems (detects ≤0.05mm watermark defects) .
- QC Processes: Demand defect rate reports (≤0.3% for A-grade suppliers).
3.3 Case Validation
- Request client references (e.g., tax invoices, luxury packaging).
- Test samples for accelerated aging (72hrs @85°C/85% humidity) and UV fluorescence response.
Red Flag: Suppliers refusing third-party testing (e.g., via CQC’s certification) likely conceal flaws.
Conclusion: Stay Ahead in 2025’s Anti-Fraud Landscape
With blockchain traceability and AI-driven counterfeit detection rising , compliant sourcing is no longer optional—it’s existential.
Ready to audit your supply chain? Book a free consultation with our specialists.
