3M toughens stand to fight COVID-19 fraud, counterfeiting, and price-gouging

By OEM Update Editorial December 7, 2020 12:55 pm IST

3M has expanded its region-specific resources to report and stop fraud around the world to fight the global pandemic from every angle and help ensure a safe supply of needed personal protective equipment.

In 1972, 3M introduced the first National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved disposable filtering face-piece respirator. From there, the company developed a full line-up of NIOSH-approved N95 respirators for a variety of industries. This imported product is in high demand since the pandemic outbreak.

As India is witnessing an unprecedented demand for high-quality safety products, there has been a surge in fraud and counterfeiting activities. To protect consumers from being scammed by unscrupulous agents or buying counterfeit products during the COVID-19 outbreak and ensure a safe supply of urgently needed personal protective equipment, 3M has expanded its resources to take strict measures and stop fraudulent products in the market, on a global basis. The company has observed multiple cases of fraud, counterfeiting, price gouging activities involving respirators and counterfeit AVAGARD hand rub solution. Emphasizing this as unethical and illegal, the company has been working closely with law enforcement and government agencies to penalize the perpetrators.