Will this help to save disposables from a ban?
On Monday 11th December, a new vape industry code of conduct was released that was spearheaded by the IBVTA. This will help retailers, manufacturers and suppliers reduce the exposure of vaping to children.
Reducing Youth Vapers
The IBVTA, an organisation that represents the vaping industry in the UK, has created a set of rules to ensure that vaping products, particularly disposables, do not attract young people.
The self imposed rules are different from the ones that the government has already put in place. It aims to address concerns about young people using vapes that are easy to get hold of. The Code prohibits designing disposable vaping products in a way that attracts children. Also, sellers must ensure proper recycling of these products. They have a responsibility to encourage customers to recycle their used vapes.
A group including manufacturers, producers, distributors, and retailers of disposables have signed the Code of Conduct. This means they have agreed to follow certain rules to make sure their products are safe and fair. The companies that have signed up are responsible for 50% of all the single use vapes in the UK. Plus, some of these are famous for their brands, like ELFBAR and Lost Mary. The IBVTA hopes more companies will sign up soon.
The code of conduct
- To supply products that comply with UK regulations and notify to the MHRA.
- Refrain from supplying products under brands or product names aimed at capitalizing on well-known food, beverage, confectionary, cartoon or entertainment brands or products (for example, Skittles, Prime, Fanta, Coka Cola, Jolly Ranger).
- Do not supply products whose flavour names resemble well-known food, beverage, confectionary, cartoon or entertainment brands or products (for example, gummy bear, Haribo, Orio, Red Bull)
- only supply products whose flavour names accurately reflect the profile of the flavour, and not abstract concepts that might disproportionately appeal to children, or which might not communicate the flavour profile to adult customers (for example, ‘dragon blood’, ‘unicorn shake’, ‘rainbow blast’)
- only supply products that do not feature prominent images of cartoon characters, or fictional characters from entertainment primarily aimed at youth on either the product or packaging
- supply products that do not resemble toys, drinks containers, water bottles, or similar novelty shapes primarily aimed at youth
- introduce due diligence measures within our supply chains. Aiming to reduce supply of products to retailers who do not have experience in selling age-restricted products. Including those who do not have strict age verification protocols in place. These could include communicating regulatory requirements to our wholesale customers and supplying best practice guidance on how to carry out the due diligence requirements of The Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015
- comply with obligations under waste and recycling regulations within our own businesses and communicate retailer obligations to our retail customers.
Statement form IBVTA Chairman
“I am delighted that the Code of Conduct launched today will cover 50% of the single use vapes on the UK market. A figure that will increase over the coming weeks and months as more companies sign up. It shows that the vaping sector is willing and able to address recent concerns. Including around those under 18 accessing vapes, and the need for increased recycling of used vape products.
But the industry cannot operate in isolation. We look forward to working with Government on developing a responsive and proportionate regulatory regime. The Government also needs to take seriously and act on the growing issue of the illicit vape market, whose products will of course not adhere to the measures we are announcing today. However, we believe that the Code has a significant role to play in adding further protections and safeguards to consumers, those under 18 and the environment.”
That concludes our look at the Vape Industry Code of Conduct. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
