The seat homologation label shown in the photo below was found by a Scrutineer in a Stage Rally car only recently purchased by the competitor. The initial flag to the Scrutineer was that the hologram did not look right, being a dull grey rather than the normal holographic appearance. Closer inspection showed that the FIA Standard number, 8855-1999, is also wrong on the label.
In this instance reference to the FIA Technical Lists, which are available on the FIA website will help identify a counterfeit as you can compare the label to the sample shown on the FIA document. Technical List No.12 is the one for 8855-1999 Standard seats, this can be viewed by clicking on the link below, and you will be able to see that the “hologram” presented to the Scrutineers bears no resemblance to the genuine FIA hologram!
The final clincher here was having instructed the competitor to remove the seat for further investigation, an original manufacturers label was found on the base showing the date of manufacture as 2011, so the seats are actually 15 years old!
In this case it was fairly obvious, but if you come across a label you are unsure about, with a simple photo we can normally quite easily follow up to establish whether there is an issue or not. So, in any such case, please forward images to the Technical Team and we can communicate with the manufacturer or FIA where necessary.