China's E-Cigarette Industry Commits to Compliance

Witnessed by the Electronic Cigarette Subcommittee, representatives from 58 electronic cigarette companies signed a Compliance Commitment Agreement during a ceremony held by the Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee of the China Electronic Commerce Association on the afternoon of July 27th. The signing was observed by John Dunne, the Executive Director of the UK Vaping Industry Association; Dustin Dahlmann and Cipri Boboi, Co-founders of the European E-Cigarette Association; Peter Davydov, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Russian Nicotine Alliance; and Daniel David, Chairman of the Canadian Vaping Industry Association. The signing ceremony was a solemn event, with representatives holding signing pens as they put their signatures and seals on the agreement, promising to conduct their businesses in compliance with the regulations.

With the arrival of legal and regulatory oversight in the electronic cigarette industry, compliance and development of businesses are the future's core competitive strengths. Recently, overseas markets have paid attention to the regulation and compliance of Chinese electronic cigarette companies. Against the backdrop of the legalization, standardization, and internationalization of the electronic cigarette industry, the Electronic Cigarette Special Committee held this ceremony to promote the commitment and determination of Chinese electronic cigarette companies to comply with regulations and take responsibility for quality safety and protecting minors. This is to establish a positive image for China's electronic cigarette industry and promote the healthy development of the global electronic cigarette industry, achieving high-quality progress across the board.

The chairman of the Electronic Cigarette Committee, Yao Jide, along with executive vice-chairpersons Huang Guihua and Liu Tuanfang, and vice-chairpersons Li Yonghai, Zhao Guanyun, and Li Min, as well as Secretary General Ao Weinuo, attended a ceremony along with John Dunne, the general director of the UK Vaping Industry Association, European Vaping Industry Association co-founders Dustin Dahlmann and Cipri Boboi, Peter Davydov, the chief public relations officer of the Russian Nicotine Union, Daniel David, the president of the Canadian Electronic Cigarette Industry Association, and representatives from 58 Chinese electronic cigarette companies. In his speech, Yao Jide said, "Since its establishment six years ago, the Electronic Cigarette Committee has taken it upon itself to standardise the industry's development. We have done a lot of work to ensure that member companies develop in compliance with regulations. With the global legalisation of electronic cigarettes, our committee has an important role to play in guiding the industry's healthy development.

The Electronic Cigarette Committee currently has more than 600 member companies. Under the comprehensive supervision of the government, regulatory authorities, the Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce, the media, and the public, each member company will strictly comply with relevant laws and regulations such as the Implementation Regulations of the Tobacco Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China, the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Minors, and the Electronic Cigarette Management Measures, as well as national standards for electronic cigarettes. At the same time, they will also strictly abide by the laws and regulations of the destination countries and regions for the export of electronic cigarette products, fulfill social responsibilities, and continuously optimize the business environment. Compliance, joint promotion of healthy industry development, is an unavoidable responsibility for electronic cigarette companies and practitioners. The "Commitment to Compliance Operations" includes five items. These include "strengthening compliance management and improving compliance capabilities," "valuing enterprise safety production and adhering to product safety bottom line," "strictly abiding by the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Minors and fulfilling the commitment not to sell electronic cigarettes to minors," "complying with applicable laws, regulatory rules, and standard requirements for electronic cigarettes in destination countries and regions for export business," and "establishing environmental awareness and striving to achieve the goals of 'peak carbon' and 'carbon neutrality.'

After signing the commitment letter, Zhao Guanyun, founder of Jieni Technology, said emotionally, "Thank you to the committee for organizing this event and sounding the alarm for compliance in the industry. The road to compliance for Chinese e-cigarettes is long and arduous. We must fully grasp the compliance policies, otherwise, companies could make missteps and lose everything. The industry should work together to adhere to regulations and not seek short-term gain with shortsightedness. This is true unity." Wang Liyun, deputy general manager of iQiyi, said, "The committee's gathering for this event demonstrates the attitude and determination of electronic cigarette companies towards compliance, and can promote the healthy and beneficial development of the industry. We will actively support the committee's management and initiatives and resolutely eliminate any behavior that harms the interests of the industry.

The Secretary-General Ao Weinuo stated that "the electronic cigarette expert committee will fully play its role as a bridge connecting enterprises and regulatory institutions, enhance service awareness, strengthen self-discipline management, regulate member behavior, and make new contributions to the healthy and orderly development of China's electronic industry. In the future, the electronic cigarette expert committee will strict manage and consciously serve its member enterprises, setting thresholds and requirements for member enterprises. For non-compliant companies, we will strictly advise and train, otherwise these companies will face industry elimination mechanisms. For companies that make compliance development commitments and statements, we will not only provide assistance but also fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of member companies when they are infringed upon.