Sindelfingen, Germany, 22 January 2019: Bitzer, the air conditioning and refrigeration technology manufacturer, has started adding QR codes to the packaging of its original spare parts, the company announced in a Press communiqué. This is a measure in the fight against product piracy, the communiqué said. By scanning the code, users can check the authenticity of their products as well as obtain further relevant information, the communiqué also said. Bitzer compressors have been equipped with QR codes for an authenticity check for years; this service will now be included for most Bitzer original spare parts as well, the communiqué added.

According to Bitzer, the company has been monitoring the proliferation of counterfeit spare parts and continuously improving measures to confront this known problem and protect its customers. The secure QR code protects against counterfeits, as it contains information that only Bitzer can provide, the communiqué said. Each QR code is linked to the specific part and the package it comes in, the communiqué further said. When scanning the code, customers receive the respective part description and picture, part number, Bitzer specific protection data as well as direct access to the relevant documentation in the Bitzer spare parts software – Eparts, the communiqué added.

The communiqué said the use of non-original spare parts puts compressor safety and reliability at serious risk, as it can lead to significant damage and even cause the compressor to break down. The communiqué further said Bitzer recommends that customers do not use such components. The communiqué added that customers are advised to contact their nearest Bitzer office, if they doubt the originality of their supposed Bitzer spare parts or upon discovering counterfeits.