The OSRAM Trust Program
 

Don’t trust your eyes. Trust OSRAM.

Our anti-counterfeit program for you. For more safety.

Two steps to certainty

Verify your lamp(s) in just a few seconds

Quality and performance is what makes any OSRAM product an original OSRAM. Product piracy has reached a level where its hard to spot the difference between fake and original.

OSRAM implemented safety features into the manufacturing process enabling you to authenticate your xenon lamps, LEDriving HL INTENSE LED lamps or halogen lamps in DUO BOX in an easy 2-step online check.

The hidden risks of using fake headlight lamps

Poor light quality and visibility

Fake lamps usually don’t meet the same manufacturing standards as genuine ones. This often results in lower brightness and a color temperature that can be off from the intended range. You might notice that the light is dimmer or has a yellowish or bluish tint that’s too strong or unnatural. This reduces your ability to see the road clearly at night or in bad weather, increasing the risk of missing obstacles, pedestrians, or road signs.

Unsafe light beam pattern and glare

Headlights are designed to produce a precise beam pattern to illuminate the road ahead without blinding oncoming traffic. Counterfeit lamps often have poor optics and, in case of xenon or halogen fakes, an improper filament or arc placement, causing scattered light and harsh glare. This can blind or distract other drivers, increasing the chance of accidents. It also means your own field of vision is compromised due to uneven lighting, dark spots, or stray beams.

Shorter lifespan and unexpected failure

Cheap fake lamps generally use inferior materials and components that degrade quickly. They may burn out much faster than genuine lamps, sometimes within weeks or even days. Sudden headlight failure during night driving is extremely dangerous, especially on highways or poorly lit roads, as it reduces your visibility drastically and makes your vehicle harder to see for others.

Possible damage to vehicle electronics

Especially xenon lamps require precise electrical control via ballasts and control units to operate safely and efficiently. Fake lamps may have electrical characteristics that do not match the vehicle’s system requirements, causing voltage spikes or irregular current flows. This can damage the ballast or the car’s lighting control module, leading to costly repairs or replacement of electronic parts.

Legal and insurance consequences

Most countries require headlights to be certified according to specific safety standards, such as ECE regulations in Europe. Fake or uncertified lamps are illegal in many jurisdictions. If your vehicle is inspected, or if you are involved in an accident, you may face fines or penalties. Moreover, insurance companies may refuse to cover damages if they find that illegal or counterfeit parts contributed to the accident.

Reduced overall safety for all road users

Because counterfeit lamps often produce glare and uneven lighting, not only is your own driving impaired, but other road users like oncoming drivers, pedestrians or cyclists, are put at risk. Poor illumination can also affect your ability to judge distances or spot hazards in time, increasing the likelihood of collisions.

Economic and practical downsides

While fake lamps may seem cheaper upfront, their poor quality means more frequent replacements and potential damage costs. Over time, you may spend significantly more on maintenance and repairs than you would have by investing in genuine, high-quality bulbs from the start.

Poor light quality and visibility

Unsafe light beam pattern and glare

Shorter lifespan and unexpected failure

Possible damage to vehicle electronics

Legal and insurance consequences

Reduced overall safety for all road users

Economic and practical downsides

Step 1

Enter your label code

Type in the 7-digit label code from the packaging or simply scan the QR-code.

Step 2

Cross-check the lamp data

Find the lamp data on the lamp bases (xenon/LED lamps) OR on any halogen DUO BOX.

Start authenticating your product now.
Be sure in seconds.

Online check

Remember the three OSRAM Facts of Light

See better and be seen better at night by keeping these three simple facts in mind

Learn more

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