Elfbar UK: Voluntary Withdrawal, not Recalls out of Safety Concern

Market
Feb.24.2023
ELFBAR stresses that voluntarily withdrawing from the UK market is not due to safety concerns and does not equate to a recall.

ELFBAR has made a new statement regarding the recentElfBar announced a voluntary withdrawal of a range of devices.

 

The MHRA does have the power to issue safety recalls of products, and it regularly recalls medicines for safety reasons. Recalls are categorized from those related to defective products that could lead to death or disability, to recalls for products that are unlikely to cause harm but do not meet marketing authorization or specification. Although the MHRA often issues recall alerts and advice through the NHS and healthcare system, there have been no recalls related to e-cigarette products so far.

 

ELFBAR stated that "all actions agreed with the MHRA to ensure that this type of issue does not reoccur in our China operations are ongoing or have been completed."

 

After the Daily Mail's investigation into ELFBAR's nicotine levels, major supermarkets took action by removing some or all of ELFBAR's disposable products. However, there have been no reports of e-cigarette retailers or wholesalers removing or recalling the affected products.

 

ELFBAR's withdrawal action this month has led Conservative MP Adam Afriyie to question Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, about increasing penalties for non-compliant e-cigarette manufacturers. The government responded that they have no plans to do so. Afriyie also asked Barclay whether he had discussed the issue of overfilling equipment with Trading Standards, and was told that the government is working closely with relevant authorities.

 

ELFBAR also stated that "the company is working hard to ensure that fully inspected products that are 100% compliant with UK regulations are provided to the UK market as soon as possible."

 

2FIRSTS has invited the MHRA and ELFBAR for interviews, and they will report on the matter in due course.

 

Thumbnail source: the Grocer

*The content of this article is written after the extraction, compilation and integration of multiple information for exchange and learning purposes. The copyright of the summary information still belongs to the original article and its author. If any infringement is found, please contact us to delete it. 

UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pushing a high street reform agenda that could give local authorities greater powers over commercial activity, including vape retail. The reforms could involve expanded planning powers and a potential vape retail licensing system, allowing councils to play a larger role in store locations and market access. The measures are part of the UK’s broader shift toward tighter vape regulation, although no nationwide vape retail restrictions have yet been implemented.
Aug.11
UK HMRC Unveils Red and Yellow Transitional Vape Duty Stamps Ahead of October Tax Launch
UK HMRC Unveils Red and Yellow Transitional Vape Duty Stamps Ahead of October Tax Launch
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has released sample images of the UK’s transitional vaping duty stamps, showing red and yellow versions ahead of the new Vaping Products Duty and Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme starting on October 1, 2026. Transitional stamps contain physical security features but no digital scanning function. Approved businesses may purchase them through November 30 and affix them through December 31. HMRC has not stated that the red and yellow samples represent different product categories or tax statuses.
Regulations
Sep.02
Yinghe-Controlled Vape Maker SKE Ordered to Post £569,039 Security as It Pursues Crystal Bar Design Infringement Case in UK
Yinghe-Controlled Vape Maker SKE Ordered to Post £569,039 Security as It Pursues Crystal Bar Design Infringement Case in UK
The UK High Court has ordered Chinese vape manufacturer Shenzhen SKE Technology to provide £569,039 ($776,000) in security for costs in its design infringement proceedings against Vapepen London and other defendants over its Crystal Bar vape product. The court did not accept the defendants’ main argument that recovering costs from a China-based company would face significant enforcement obstacles, but found that SKE had not sufficiently disclosed its own financial position. The order is procedural and does not determine the underlying infringement claims.
News
Aug.21
UK Reform Party Proposes Cap of 1,000 Vape Shops Under Plan to Tighten Retail Controls
UK Reform Party Proposes Cap of 1,000 Vape Shops Under Plan to Tighten Retail Controls
The UK Reform Party has proposed limiting the number of dedicated vape shops in the country to around 1,000 as part of a plan to tighten oversight of vape retail channels. The proposal was put forward by Reform UK deputy leader and MP Lee Anderson. The plan remains a political proposal and has not become UK government policy, with no detailed legislation, implementation timeline or allocation rules announced.
Aug.10