Honeywell deploys tech to combat use of fake COVID-19 respirators in UAE

DUBAI: Honeywell said it using digital authentication technology in a bid to tackle the use of fake respirators and masks in the UAE and wider region.
It said that surging demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) has triggered an increase in counterfeiting across the region.
Nearly 20 factories selling substandard face masks, disinfectants and hand sanitizers have been uncovered in the UAE since the outbreak of the virus, it said.
“In response to the growing number of counterfeit PPE products in the Middle East and Africa, we’ve chosen the UAE to be the testing ground for digital authentication technology for our PPE distributed across the region,” said Greg Norton, general manager, fine chemicals and authentication technologies. “This software will not only confirm the authentication of our N95 respirators made in the UAE, it will also help detect counterfeit PPE products to help authorities reduce illicit trade during the pandemic.”
To authenticate the product, the end user scans a digital code embedded in the packaging with their smartphone camera after downloading the Honeywell application for iOS or Android. The software validates the product’s authenticity through a database, letting the end user know it is safe to use and gathers market intelligence data.
Honeywell-branded N95 respirators are produced in the UAE by Strata Manufacturing.

Honeywell deploys tech to combat use of fake COVID-19 respirators in UAE