SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) has set up a National TC (Technical Committee) to define South African National Standards to provide guidance regarding the use of e-cigarettes and other vaping products.
In South Africa, there are currently no rules for vaping production, it’s the responsibility of SABS to set rules and encourage standardization in the field, including vaping products and their components like reservoirs and cartridges.
The Bureau will also compile guidelines on sampling, terminology, testing and analysis methods, quality management, safety, product specifications, storage, packaging, and transportation requirements.
The SABS observed that vaping products are becoming increasingly famous in South Africa for both economic activity and recreational purposes. An estimation has shown that 350,000 people enjoy vaping products and sales were R1.25 billion in 2019.
The lead administrator of SABS, Jodi Scholtz, said that as the industry is expanding it’s essential to set national standards that guide product quality and give consumers some reassurance that the electronic products and devices used in vaping are reliable and safe to use.
The bureau will concentrate on only tobacco-free products.
Right now, the Department of Health possesses a draft bill to supervise tobacco products and electronic delivery systems, which is under public inquiry. The SABS stated that it will pay attention to vaping products and consider the inclusion of a draft bill, with the information that rules, and standards are voluntary.
Scholtz also told that they are planning to host the first meeting of the technical committee; the meeting will be approved soon when regulators and other important stakeholders will confirm the commitment. The SABS focused that it would establish national standards and rules for voluntary application.
There are no rules and standards for vaping products in South Africa and other African areas. TC will have a look at available international guidelines, policies, standards, research, and additional documentation to set voluntary national standards for South Africa.
Scholtz also added that after the consensus has been approved by the TC participants, the draft standard will undergo a stage of public inquiry, in which the people from the public may give their opinion about the draft standard. All of the public opinions are then considered for the next phase of setting draft standards into national standards (SANS).
About 300 days are required to set national standards, Scholtz said, however, the time required for this process depends on the availability of public research and other documents, the commitment of TC members, robustness of the phase of public inquiry, a consensus within TC, and some other administrative requirements.
