Pretoria – The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has published the long-awaited vaping products standard – a milestone toward safeguarding consumers.
Commenting on the development, the Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPASA), this week, announced that it was “pleased” that the SABS has “finally published” the vaping products standard.
“This standard is now available for purchase from the SABS and marks a significant milestone for the vaping industry in South Africa,” said Asanda Gcoyi, CEO of VPASA.
The newly released standard establishes clear guidelines on consistency, safety, and quality across the vaping products market.
They cover critical aspects such as manufacturing, packaging, labelling, testing protocols, and the composition of e liquids, with a key requirement being compliance with the nicotine ceiling of 35%.
“Our commitment to consumer safety is paramount. Implementing a nicotine content ceiling will align South Africa’s vaping market with international standards to safeguard consumers from excessively high nicotine concentrations,” said Gcoyi.
The South African vaping industry is now entering a crucial phase of transition following in the global footsteps of Sweden, Canada, and the UK where vaping products must not contain nicotine concentration that exceeds a set limit when the substance is tested using the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO 20714).
For South Africa, this means that manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and resellers of vapour products need to familiarise themselves with the new local standards and take the necessary steps to align their products accordingly.
While adherence to the standards is voluntary, manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers are strongly encouraged to take the necessary steps to align their products accordingly.
“It’s important to note that although the standards are voluntary, they have been developed with the principles of the Consumer Protection Act which states that all stakeholders are legally obligated to align their products with established standards,” Gcoyi said.
“These standards will help consumers make informed choices about the vaping products they use, knowing that those adhering to SABS guidelines are designed with their safety in mind.”
To purchase the standards visit www.sabs.co.za.
