The production and trafficking of counterfeit goods continues to be a pressing issue for consumers at both global and local levels.  According to data from the Global Trade in Fakes report by the OECD and EUIPO, trading with counterfeit goods amounted to roughly $449 billion and 2.5% of global trade in 2019. Fake products and IP infringements not only pose significant health and safety threat to consumers, but also impact the economic growth of legitimate businesses and consumers through lost revenue, downtime, and replacement costs.

To mitigate this issue, DMS and SCHOTT AG have agreed to further strengthen the collaboration between the two parties in the fields of combatting fake and IP infringing products, consumer protection, and raising awareness on genuine vs counterfeit products. SCHOTT AG will support enhancing the robust technical foundation for DMS officials and its partners to execute fake product raids effectively and responsively through activities such as technical workshops, training sessions, and official raids. 

The collaboration between DMS and SCHOTT AG is set to protect Vietnamese consumers who might be misguided into buying low-quality, non-genuine products bearing the SCHOTT CERAN® brand name.

The international specialty glass company SCHOTT is the proud owner of the trademark CERAN® for the world’s best-selling glass-ceramic cooktop panel brand. Since its launch in 1971, SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic cooktop panels have grown to be one of the most successful products and one of the most known brands for SCHOTT AG. This bestseller has been sold over 200 million times in more than 140 countries around the world.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director General of Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance expressed that fake products are rampant in Vietnam, especially counterfeit products bearing big brand names such as SCHOTT CERAN®.  “To mitigate these threats and protect the rights of Vietnamese consumers, DMS is actively working with relevant law enforcement agencies in inspection activities aimed at dismantling counterfeit operations and hold individuals involved in them accountable. However, it is challenging for DMS staff to identify fake products and take appropriate actions without strong collaboration between DMS and the brand owner. the partnership between DMS and major brand owners will help enforcement agencies to crack down the unscrupulous vendors of fake products in an effective and timely manner and protect Vietnamese consumers,” said Mr. Tran Huu Linh.

Mr. Simon Kreye, Deputy Head of Mission, Head of Economic Department of the German Embassy in Hanoi stated:  "I am very pleased to witness the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between SCHOTT AG and the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance. This is a significant step in strengthening the cooperation and trust between our two countries in the field of intellectual property protection and consumer safety. Fake products not only harm the reputation and innovation of legitimate businesses, but also pose serious risks to the health and well-being of the general public. By working together to combat this illegal activity, we can create a fair and transparent market environment that benefits both our economies and societies."

Ms. Katja Dybowski, Director Sales CERAN® ASIA at SCHOTT AG, has likewise expressed SCHOTT AG’s enduring commitment to protecting Vietnamese consumers against fake products. “Due to poor mechanical and acid resistance, fake panels have a worse thermal resistance, and are more prone to wear and tear resulting in unstable performance and a significantly shorter product lifespan. At SCHOTT AG, we are committed to working closely with DMS and other Vietnamese authorities to combat fake products and the associated health, mechanical and fire safety risks that it poses to Vietnamese consumers.

No company can successfully fight against a well-orchestrated network of counterfeit production and distribution on their own. Therefore, the strategic partnership with leading authorities such DMS is key to mitigating this fake product issue.  We are grateful for DMS’s openness and collaboration in this matter, and we are confident that the MOU signed today will further our collaboration and mitigate the fake product issue in the foreseeable future”, added Katja Dybowski.