Disposable vape brand Elfbar is withdrawing its popular Elfbar 600 device from sale in the UK.
The move follows press reports which raised questions over the device’s compliance with UK regulations. A subsequent investigation conducted by Elfbar found that some products exceeded the permitted e-liquid fill level. The company stressed, however, that it “did not find any issues with nicotine strength, or anything that might mean the product’s safety is compromised in any way”.
The matter was discussed further at a 10 February meeting Elfbar called with the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the government watchdog responsible for ensuring the safety of vaping products. This was also attended by representatives of the UKVIA and IBVTA, the UK’s two trade associations for the vape industry.
At the meeting, the MHRA said it did not believe that the non-compliance presented any issues of safety but that it was still a contravention of UK regulations. It therefore recommended the product was withdrawn from the market.
Elfbar will be assisted in ensuring the withdrawal is carried out effectively, and without causing any unnecessary market disruption, by a Trading Standards Primary Authority.
It will update its distribution and retail partners when it has been agreed how the withdrawal will take place.
