In March 2026, the World Bearing Association (WBA) conducted a series of industry awareness and brand enforcement training visits across Vietnam and Thailand, meeting with government authorities to reinforce cooperation on anti-counterfeiting efforts and advance the fight against fake bearings in the region. The full delegation of representatives of the six WBA member companies, led by Koichi Uchida of NSK, participated in all visit activities, which was organized by WBA Secretariat JBIA.

In Vietnam, WBA delegates met with five enforcement bodies over the course of four days: the Customs Department, the Department of Domestic Market Surveillance and Development (DDMSD) , Hanoi Market Surveillance Sub-Department, the Ho Chi Minh City Market Surveillance Sub-Department, and the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Sub-Department. The meetings covered a broad range of topics including border enforcement practices, e-commerce infringement, and information-sharing mechanisms between brand owners and authorities.

Vietnamese authorities reported strong enforcement activity in 2025, with 143 bearing-related cases handled and significant administrative fines levied. Officials identified the southern provinces and cities — including Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Lang Son — as active hotspots for counterfeit bearing activity. Discussions also highlighted progress toward formalizing cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding with both Customs and the market surveillance agencies.

In Thailand, WBA member companies met with 17 officers of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok. The session focused on practical enforcement challenges, evidence requirements, and the role of the WBA Authenticator application in supporting police investigations. ECD leadership expressed strong interest in continued engagement, including training sessions and technical exchanges to enhance officers’ ability to identify counterfeit goods in the field.

A consistent theme across all meetings was the WBA Authenticator app, which WBA delegates introduced and demonstrated to enforcement officers in each country. Law enforcement officials in both Vietnam and Thailand responded positively, recognizing the app as a practical and effective tool for field authentication. Customs and market surveillance officers noted that the ability to scan QR codes and quickly assess whether a product is genuine streamlines enforcement decisions at the point of inspection.

WBA member companies presented Appreciation Certificates to key officials at each meeting in recognition of their ongoing support and cooperation.

The WBA remains committed to working with government partners across the region to protect consumers, support legitimate trade, and hold counterfeiters accountable.