Lumileds, a leading lighting solutions company for the automotive industry, has launched a new initiative to aggressively combat fraudulent Xenon HID lighting products. The Philips Xenon HID Anti-Counterfeit Program is a multi-faceted effort intended to help protect customers against fake Xenon HID bulbs.

Xenon HID lighting has become one of the most counterfeited products in the automotive replacement lighting market. Counterfeit Xenon HID bulbs often deliver poor illumination on the road and excessive glare for oncoming traffic, putting drivers and passengers in harm’s way. Counterfeit bulbs can also severely damage a vehicle’s headlamps or electronics.

The new Philips Anti-Counterfeit Program allows consumers, retailers, and distributors to quickly and easily establish the authenticity of a Philips Xenon HID product.

Philips OE replacement Xenon HID packages now feature a Philips Certificate of Authenticity with a holographic seal, label ID, security code and QR code. Distributors, retailers, and consumers can check the authenticity of the product, either by scanning the QR code or by entering the label ID and security code at philips.com/original. If the label ID and security code are valid, a confirmation message is received. If either the label ID or security code is invalid an alert message is received, and the individual can contact Philips product support to pursue the issue.

In addition to the Certificate of Authenticity, Philips OE replacement Xenon HID product packaging has been updated with tamper-evident seals that reveal hidden graphics indicating the package has been opened. The Xenon HID shipping cartons also feature tamper-evident packing tape that reveals hidden text when the carton is opened.

To spread the word about Xenon HID piracy, the Philips Xenon HID Anti-Counterfeit Program will be backed by a multi-media campaign built around the theme “Is it Real? Check the Seal.” The campaign will include advertising, public relations, a special website and social media.

As a leading lighting solutions company for the automotive industry, Lumileds is licensed to use the Philips brand for its automotive lighting and accessories product portfolio.