EDGE – Quality & Compliance Without Compromise

/ 2 min read
EDGE – Quality & Compliance Without Compromise

Vaping is regulated under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) to protect consumers and ensure the safety of all products. These regulations ensure that any e-liquid manufactured for sale in the UK is rigorously tested for safety and registered for approval with the MHRA before it reaches customers. 

At EDGE we are proud to manufacture products that are fully compliant with TPD regulations. Every new e-liquid recipe is refined through flavour trials and then subject to a four stage process that ensures it meets all the essential safety standards.

Stage 1: Classification and Labelling

The first step in our compliance process is a thorough analysis of the ingredients used in the e-liquid. The main ingredients are always Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerol and Nicotine, however our premium, UK-sourced flavourings are made up of tiny amounts of other ingredients, which also need to be accounted for.

Our Compliance Officers create a CLP breakdown, which involves calculating the exact amount of every single ingredient as well as checking their concentration. If any ingredient is present at a level that could cause an allergic reaction, the CLP breakdown provides the information needed so that the correct warnings are included on the packaging.

Stage 2: Emissions Testing

The next step is an emissions test. This ensures that when the e-liquid is heated and turned to vapour it does not contain more than the established safe levels of carbonyl compounds. The tests are conducted by expert technicians in our analytical laboratories. First, an aerosol sample is collected from the vaporised e-liquid using specialised equipment.

This sample is then passed through a special cartridge, converting any carbonyls to more easily measured forms, and exposed to a solvent, which makes the carbonyls suitable for analysis. The resulting solution is run through a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography machine, after which the carbonyls present in the sample can be compared to pre-set standards. The final concentration of each carbonyl is calculated and reported in units of μg/puff.

Stage 3: The Portal

All the data and information on the new e-liquid is then submitted to the MHRA through an online platform called the EU-CEG portal. This information includes the product name, manufacturer’s address, all ingredient values and details from the CLP breakdown, the emissions test results and more.

The submission is sent via e-Trustex and once approved, the e-liquid will appear on the MHRA website as a new, registered product.

Stage 4: Sale

When the new e-liquid has been fully tested, analysed, approved, and finally registered for sale, it can be mass-produced. Every batch of e-liquids produced at EDGE undergoes further analysis to ensure consistent quality.

This includes individual testing for nicotine concentration and organoleptic analysis of finished batch samples. Organoleptic analysis involves checking the visual appearance, aroma and taste of an e-liquid against standard samples made in controlled conditions.

These further tests are simply part of our continued dedication to making a product that our customers can enjoy with confidence and contentment.