Advocating the Importance of Counterfeiting Education to Global Organizations

In the second half of this year, Monica Mena, director of Educational Programs and Anti-Counterfeiting Initiatives at UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), was invited to present at three different virtual engagements.

Convened by key stakeholders in the government and public sector communities, the meetings brought together various experts to discuss law enforcement and consumer awareness about counterfeiting. As a panelist, Mena shared her insights and talked about ULSE's anti-counterfeiting initiatives, including the consumer education campaign Be Safe Buy Real, anti-counterfeiting research, and the International IP Crime Investigators College (IIPCIC).

Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee Meeting: Oct. 20, 2022

Hosted by U.S. Department of Transportation’s Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee and held during the Federal Aviation Administration’s Tenth Triennial International Fire & Cabin Safety Research Conference, industry experts and stakeholders convened to discuss the potential safety hazards posed by lithium batteries. Representing ULSE, Mena presented perspectives on anti-counterfeiting and spoke about the global campaign, Be Safe Buy Real, designed to raise awareness about the health and safety risks associated with counterfeit goods.

ICAO – UPU Committee Meeting: Oct. 27, 2022

At the International Civil Aviation Organization – Universal Postal Union Contact Committee meeting, Mena discussed ULSE’s development of IIPCIC, an online training platform for international law enforcement produced in collaboration with INTERPOL. Mena also used the opportunity to introduce IIPCIC’s newest e-learning series, Detection, Interdiction, and Safe Handling of Counterfeit and Substandard Lithium Batteries.

USPTO-URSB Webinar: Smart Shopping Sensitization - Public and Private Approaches to Educating the Public on the Dangers of Counterfeits: Nov. 10, 2022

In a webinar hosted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), “Smart Shopping Sensitization - Public and Private Approaches to Educating the Public on the Dangers of Counterfeits,” Mena spoke about Be Safe Buy Real’s public awareness campaign and target audiences of parents, professionals, and young adults. Fellow panelists included the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), International Trademark Association (INTA), Anti-Counterfeit Network, and Uganda Registration Services Bureau.