In the statement, DuPont Refrigerants urged members of the HVACR industry to increase awareness of and action against counterfeit refrigerant activity.

“This problem is real and it is growing, and the impact can include significant injury and tragic loss of life,” said Greg Rubin, global business manager, DuPont Refrigerants. “Counterfeit refrigerants also have the potential for significant business impact, especially in emerging regions.”

Multipronged Approach

In 2011, DuPont said, it continued its efforts to combat counterfeit activity. This included diligence regarding removing Internet storefront listings of counterfeit refrigerants, conducting investigations, training customs officials, assisting law enforcement in conducting raids and seizure of refrigerant goods, and establishing product identification methods and technologies of DuPont-branded refrigerants.

“We have taken a variety of steps this year to combat the problem of counterfeit refrigerants globally and will prosecute these cases to the fullest extent allowable,” said Rubin. “DuPont will continue efforts to educate the industry on the problems posed by counterfeit refrigerants in the marketplace and will be vigilant in our investigations to uncover the source of counterfeit materials.”

DuPont said it developed a multifaceted program to address counterfeit refrigerants including the education of customs officials in overt and covert tactics to ensure the authenticity of DuPont refrigerants.

“Our DuPont Brand Assurance Anti-Counterfeiting Initiative is an area where we will concentrate resources globally in the coming year [2012],” Rubin said. “We’ve seen evidence of counterfeiting in virtually every region and across multiple product lines. The best defense against the threat of counterfeit refrigerants is to buy refrigerant from a reputable, known supplier.”

For more information, go to www.refrigerants.dupont.com or www.refrigerants.dupont.com/genuine.

Publication date: 02/20/2012