Checking that vape stock comes from a supplier meeting their recycling requirements can help stores identify that their stock is legitimate, according to ERP UK managing director John Redmayne.

Under Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations, nearly all vape and other electronic UK manufacturers or importers must be registered with a recycling compliance scheme. These schemes help fund the recycling of their products.

Despite some progress, ‘many’ smaller firms remain outside of the law by not taking part in a compliance scheme, according to compliance specialists and scheme operators ERP UK.

Redmayne told Better Retailing the company supports an ongoing crackdown on non-compliance by the Environment Agency. He explained: “We believe the very biggest companies are mostly now registered but even that was quite a slow process, but there are many others not yet registered.

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“It’s about a level playing field… Suppliers have to be confident their rivals are also registered and therefore not stealing an unfair advantage by dodging the system.”

Asked why retailers should challenge their suppliers about compliance, Redmayne explained: “This is a sector you hear quite a lot about the extent of illegal imports trying to avoid various duties and regulations, it is not a good sign if a retailer’s stock is not from a registered supplier or importer. They do need to be alert to buying through the right supply chain so that what they buy is a legitimate and valid product.”

The ERP UK managing director said stores can check if a company is registered on the National Packaging Waste Database at NPWD.environment-agency.gov.uk. He accepted it may be difficult as stores may not know the company name of the manufacturer or importer, but said stores should ask reps to provide this information and then check it on the website.

The regulatory push has helped drive more suppliers to join ERP UK’s scheme.  Redmayne commented: “We support companies of all sizes with compliance. We’re experts, it’s the thing we do and we aim to do it really, really well. We do know that some competitors are wary of taking on companies in the sector. That isn’t us, we’re keen to support companies that want to become compliant.”

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