UKVIA Applies to CTSI Scheme

The UK Vaping Industry Association says it is pleased to be embarking on the process to become part of the highly-respected CTSI Approved Codes Scheme.

It says: “The Approved Code Scheme was created to give greater peace-of-mind and protection to consumers, and members of the scheme are recognised as trustworthy, reputable and having a proven commitment to ‘honest business’ and ‘higher standards’. Representatives of the UKVIA have already met with officials from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to discuss the significance of this accreditation and the path ahead.”

John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA, commented: “As the most influential association in the sector, we have and continue to expect the highest levels of responsibility from our members and regularly lead on initiatives to drive accountability across the industry – including publishing guidelines around marketing and sustainability, the rolling out of our Be Vape Vigilant campaign and, most recently, the development of a retail and distributor licensing framework.

“The vape sector is facing intense scrutiny, and the legitimate industry must show it is committed to only the highest standards. The ACS fits with this goal.”

Currently, over 45,000 businesses are signed up to the Approved Code Scheme. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute says: “The protections offered to consumers through the Approved Code Scheme exceed those included in UK law. The Scheme aims to raise standards across largely unregulated sectors, by allowing only the most customer-focused businesses to join. And then encouraging them to aim ever higher.”

The action by the UK Vaping Industry Association builds on its previous work partnering with Buckinghamshire and Surrey and Trading Standards. 

“Primary Authority Partners have in the past proved very helpful, both for Trading Standards and for the vaping industry, navigating best practice and ensuring we’re doing all that we can to support Trading Standards as they deal with rogue traders in the vaping industry,” the UK Vaping Industry Association said.

The trade organisation went on to add: “We’re delighted to say that as of July, we will be working with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards. We look forward to developing the partnership as we continue to advocate for licensing for vape distributors and retailers and look at how best to support the work of the Trading Standards across the UK.”

Dave Cross

Journalist at POTV

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Dave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.