Vape Brands ELFBAR Lost Mary Sign Vape industry Conduct Code

The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) voluntarily regulates the vape industry anddevelops a set of code of conduct. The code stipulates the vaping products marketing way, as well as regulations such as product names and flavors.

The agreement is an addition to existing regulatory measures.

And it is developed in response to any future measures that may be introduced by the Government. It aims to directly address the recent increase problem in youth access to and experimentation with vapes. Many medias reports these problems, primarily due to the increasing availability of disposable vapes.

The Code clearly states that disposable vaping products should not be unduly attractive to children. In addition, it must be clear that those selling vapes must ensure compliance with their recycling obligations. And they must have a responsibility to encourage vape customers to recycle their products responsibly.

This code of conduct has been signed up by all parties in the vape supply chain. The parties include the UK’s market-leading vape manufacturers, producers, distributors and retailers of disposable products.

The parties that signed the agreement are responsible for more than 50% of disposable vape products on the market. IMiracle, owner of the ELFBAR and Lost Mary vape brands, also signs the code. Products from these two Chinese vape brands are the most popular disposable vapes in the UK. The IBVTA will push for further sign-ups in the coming weeks.

young people are vaping disposable vapes

The code clearly stipulates the following points:

code of conduct

1. only supply products that comply with UK regulations and are notified to the MHRA, if such a notification is legally required
2. 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, Skitle, Prime, Fantasi, Coka Cola, Jolly Ranger)
3. refrain from supplying products whose flavour names resemble well-known food, beverage, confectionary, cartoon or entertainment brands or products (for example, gummy bear, Haribo, Orio, Red Bull)
4. 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’)
5. 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
6. only supply products that do not resemble toys, drinks containers, water bottles, or similar novelty shapes primarily aimed at youth
7. introduce due diligence measures within our supply chains that aim to reduce supply of products to retailers who do not have experience in selling age-restricted products, or 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
8. comply with obligations under waste and recycling regulations within our own businesses and communicate retailer obligations to our retail customers.

Vape manufacturers and brands welcome the code of conduct.

Frankie Zhou, General Manager of top vape manufacturer VPFIT, says the vape industry is willing and able to address recent concerns. More and more vape manufacturers and brands are participating in this now. The vape industry is stepping to a more health and socially responsible field.

“This code is not only helpful to the vape industry. It is protecting the young people, our future. And this is protecting the environment we are living now and future. More and more vape manufacturers, brands, distributors and retailers will join this.”

References: Vape industry Code of Conduct launched