Vape manufacturer GeekVape, the parent of Geek Bar, has written to trading standards departments in major UK cities asking them to take more action to combat the growing market for illicit vaping products.
GeekVape previously established a primary authority partnership with Oldham Council to focus on the growing issue surrounding illicit disposable products, according to Talking Retail. It has now followed this up by approaching other trading standards departments requesting their commitment to do all they can do to cut off the supply of non-compliant and counterfeit disposables.
Allen Yang, CEO of GeekVape, said it was easy to blame the manufacturer, but the truth is that illicit products are finding their way into the UK through customs and being sold in retail outlets across the country.
“It’s a huge issue for our own reputation and the vape sector as a whole,” Yang said. “Enough is enough, and there needs to be more collaboration and enforcement involving all parties including trading standards, the vaping industry, trade associations representing retailers and the medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency.”
The company has been working closely with the authorities in China to identify factories producing fake products. This has resulted in the closure of 12 counterfeit production facilities and the seizure of more than 100,000 fake products destined for the UK.