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SPEAC

Safe non-food consumer Products in the EU and China
SPEAC

Safe non-food consumer Products in the EU and China

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SPEAC

Safe non-food consumer Products in the EU and China

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Electronic cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes

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Product definition

Electronic cigarettes, also referred to as ‘vapes’ or ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) are defined specifically as a product which can be used for the consumption of nicotine containing vapour via a mouthpiece, or any component of that product, including a cartridge, a tank and the device without a cartridge or tank. Such devices may either be single use and disposable or refillable by means of a refill container and a tank, be rechargeable with single use cartridges.

Common risks of electronic cigarettes

The most common risks identified in this product sector are set out below.

1. Electrical risks

  • Electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic disturbances emitted from the electronics can adversely affect persons, domestic animals, property and nearby electrical products.
  • Poorly insulated wires or electric parts can give the user an electric shock.
  • Inadequately fixed wires or parts may touch and energize parts that the user touches and receives an electric shock.
  • Sharp edges in the product may over time cut through the insulation of electric wires thereby energising touchable metal parts that can give the user an electric shock.

2. Thermal risks:

  • Hot surfaces can cause burns.
  • Poorly insulated or fixed wires or substandard components can short circuit and create arcs or overheating, leading to fire.

3. Mechanical risks:

  • High sound pressure levels can cause damage to hearing.
  • Heavy products that are unstable can fall over and cause injuries.
  • Poor mechanical construction so that heavy equipment intended to be hung on a wall can fall down and cause injuries.
  • Surfaces, edges, corners with sharp edges, or other flaws can cause injuries.
  • Rotating parts can cause injuries while spinning.

4. Optical risks

  • Optical radiation (primarily lasers or blue light sources in the product) can cause damage to sight.
Further risks if the e-cigarette contains batteries
  • Short-circuits in the internal wiring or electronics can cause overheating of batteries or explosion, leading to leakage of dangerous chemicals.
  • Accessible small batteries (AAA or smaller) can be put in the mouth and swallowed, causing choking and damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
See further risks

This is a list of examples of common risks. However, the manufacturer has to carry out an assessment of the e-cigarette that covers all relevant risks that may be associated with the product and actions taken to mitigate these risks where possible. A general definition of risk and its relationship to hazards can be found in the factsheet on Risk management. 

Examples of dangerous products

Specific examples of measures taken against dangerous e-cigarettes offered for sale in the European Union are available on the Safety Gate website. Type ‘e-cigarette’ into the free text search box (but without the quotation marks) and select the ‘electrical appliances and equipment’ Product Category to view notified examples. A better understanding of mistakes made in the safety assessment on the e-cigarettes or its manufacture can help avoid their repetition.

Main applicable legislation

Particular risks in relation to the nicotine hazard and other associated chemical hazards are addressed in the Tobacco Products Directive which specifies the process of ensuring that e-liquids themselves are safe for inhalation, limits nicotine concentration levels and container sizes to reduce the risk associated with accidental ingestion or other contact by children.

These products are governed mainly by the Low Voltage Directive (LVD). The Directive lays down the safety criteria that all electronic cigarettes must meet before they can be marketed in the EU. Electronic cigarettes must comply with the essential safety requirements set out in this Directive. More specific details can be found here.

Moreover, all electric products should comply with these two pieces of legislation:

  • EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) – lays down requirements for emission of electromagnetic disturbances to the environment and immunity to electromagnetic disturbances in the surrounding environment.
  • RoHS 2 Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) – restricts the use of certain substances and chemicals in electrical and electronic equipment.

If the product can communicate wirelessly (e.g. incorporates Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), it should meet the requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive. Electromagnetic immunity and disturbances for products incorporating a communications device are dealt with under this directive. The Radio Equipment Directive also handles electric safety for products inside as well as outside the voltage limits in the Low Voltage Directive.

If the product doesn’t employ radio communication and it operates on a voltage below the limits specified in the Low Voltage Directive, then the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) applies.

Please also check the factsheet for Power Supplies, Chargers and Adaptors for safety requirements for the external power supply.

Applicable standards

“European standards” exist in the EU for electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes complying with these standards are presumed to be in conformity with the essential safety requirements set out in the Low Voltage Directive if the standards are referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

It is important to note that the latest edition of the standard referenced in the OJEU (including any amendments) applies.

Note: The following site of CEN CENELEC (the European standardisation organisation) provides links to the national standardisation bodies’ websites. In addition, the China Standards Information Services Network can be used to access European standards.

The following standards are relevant to e-cigarettes:

CEN/TR 17236:2020 Electronic cigarettes and e-liquids – Constituents to be measured in the aerosol of vaping products. This standard describes the methodology for determination of potentially hazardous chemicals in the vape aerosol.

EN 13127:2012 Packaging. Child resistant packaging. Mechanical test methods for recloseable child resistant packaging systems. This standard describes a mechanical method for confirming child resistance.

CEN/TS 17287: 2019 Requirements and test methods for electronic cigarette devices. This standard specifies the minimum safety requirements for electronic cigarette devices, e-liquid containers and associated accessories when used in the manner specified by the manufacturer.

EN 62311:2008 The standard describes measurement methods and safety requirements related to human exposure restrictions for electromagnetic fields (0 Hz – 300 GHz).

However, the standard series covers other safety issues and manufacturers are strongly advised to consult the whole standard.

Further applicable standards if the electronic cigarette contains batteries
  • EN 62133-1:2017
    Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes – Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications – Part 1: Nickel systems
  • EVS-EN 62133-2:2017+A1:2021
    Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes – Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications – Part 2: Lithium systems
See further standards

Other legislation of relevance:

The following summarises some further key applicable laws:

  • Ecodesign regulations – establishes ecodesign requirements for energy-related products
  • Energy labelling regulations – establishes the requirements and criteria for energy labelling of energy-related products
  • Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) – establishes rules for treating of waste electrical and electronic equipment, to contribute to sustainable production and consumption
  • The REACH regulation restricts chemical substances in goods. REACH stands for “Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals”, and it places responsibility on the industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the substances. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) maintains a list of substances of very high concern (the “SVHC list”). According to article 56(1) of the Regulation, manufacturers shall not place products containing any of the substances on this list on the market. The updated list of substances of very high concern can be found on ECHA’s website.
  • Please note that every product must be safe for the consumers according to the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). If an electric product is unsafe, and that particular aspect is not regulated by the Low Voltage Directive, then the General Product Safety Regulation applies. This particularly applies to electrical products outside of the voltage limits specified in the Low Voltage Directive and without radio communication.
Additional legislation of relevance if the product contains batteries
  • The Battery Regulation: Batteries commonly contain hazardous substances such as mercury, cadmium and lead, which when incinerated or placed in landfill can present a risk to the environment and human health. As a result, this Regulation sets maximum quantities for certain chemicals and metals in certain batteries and creates rules covering matters such as labelling, documentation and marking requirements
Additional legislation of relevance if the product contains batteries

Mandatory labelling & warnings

All product information must be given in the official language(s) of the country in which the wheeled child conveyance is sold. There are also specific labelling requirements for electronic cigarettes, which must be in language specified in the Member States where they are placed on the European market. These include (*asterisked requirements may be on an accompanying leaflet):

  • Instructions for use and storage of the product, including a reference that the product is not recommended for use by young people and non-smokers*
  • Contra-indications*
  • Warnings for specific risk groups*
  • Possible adverse effects*
  • Addictiveness and toxicity
  • List of ingredients in descending order of weight (if applicable)
  • Nicotine per dose
  • Batch number
  • Recommendations to be kept out of the reach of children
  • Health warnings (determined by the Member States)

The crossed-out wheel bin is obligatory for all electronics to indicate that it must be disposed of according to the rules for handling of waste from electronic and electrical equipment.

icon of a crossed-out wheel bin

General safety requirements

To ensure that manufacturers produce only safe e-cigarettes, there are also a range of general requirements to be fulfilled. These are explained in the following factsheets and need to be read in conjunction with this factsheet:

The product is sold online

You may also visit the SPEAC ACADEMY to learn more about the EU Safety requirements.

Disclaimer

The provided information was updated in 2026. Please note that some of the provided information could change during possible subsequent revisions of legislation, standards, and guidance documents. For any updates of official information on the EU product safety rules, please follow the Link to the webpage of the European Commission.

This document was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of SPEAC project and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.