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Inter Scientific announced it has been granted Corporate Affiliate Membership with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). Inter Scientific is delighted to align with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and further bolster its unwavering commitment to combat illicit vape products in the UK. Our shared values of customer protection, business legitimacy, and justice drive us to work tirelessly across regions, gathering intelligence on new and emerging issues, and ensuring the safety of our customers and the integrity of the industry. Inter Scientific is deeply committed to customer safety. Our extensive collaboration with Trading Standards, including the testing of a significant number of vape products, is a testament to this commitment. We are dedicated to being part of the solution, ensuring that only legal and safe vape products reach our customers, thereby safeguarding public health. Julia McLachlan, Chief Commercial Officer, comments, "At Inter Scientific, we place the utmost importance on customer safety and regulatory compliance. Analytical testing is a crucial part of this, as it verifies vape nicotine product adherence to legal parameters. This is not just about the protection of public health, but also about maintaining the reputation of a legitimate vape industry. McLachlan continues, "Responsible manufacturers must ensure their product portfolio complies with regulations for their chosen market to de-risk and safeguard their brand, now and into the future." Inter Scientific has announced it will sponsor a session on vaping at the CTSI Annual Conference in June. Find out more. Contact us today if you need support testing and de-risking your product portfolio, here. #SmokingCessation #CTSI_UK #Vape #TradingStandards About Inter Scientific With our combined analytical and regulatory services, we offer a single-point solution for product compliance. Our mission is to make regulatory compliance as straightforward as possible, allowing you to unlock global markets. Inter Scientific is dedicated to providing quality scientific data and is multi-accredited against numerous international standards to ensure the highest quality, security, and data integrity. With a world-class laboratory supporting global product submissions and compliance combined with a dedicated specialist ENDS regulatory team, Inter Scientific brings innovative solutions for clients, ensuring the highest level of compliance in the UK, Europe, the US, and the Middle East. For all media enquiries, Click here.
Inter Scientific’s Regulatory Affairs Associate, Natalie Searle, discusses critical approaches to help the ongoing fight against tobacco usage. Accelerating smoking cessation activities has become critical in the ongoing fight against tobacco usage. Inter Scientific are honoured to have collaborated with Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) in their research initiatives funded by the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW). We have explored the complex variables that affect quitting smoking, the key lessons learned from the research and the encouraging directions it points towards in the fight against the worldwide tobacco pandemic to accelerate the transition to a smoke-free future. Preventable deaths Smoking stands as the foremost cause of preventable deaths worldwide, with staggering statistics revealing that over eight million people succumb to its effects annually. Recognising the urgency of this global health crisis, the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW) funded a comprehensive investigation led by Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) to illuminate the current landscape of smoking cessation efforts. The dual-focused approached delved into the legal framework surrounding smoking cessation interventions while also probing the efficacy of these measures. CDP sought to understand nuanced attitudes and behavioural experiences of smokers and crucial insights that would inform the design and implementation of interventions tailored to smokers’ needs. This multifaceted examination yielded invaluable insights into the complex dynamics at play in the realm of smoking cessation, laying the groundwork for more effective strategies to combat this pervasive public health challenge. Indeed, the challenge of behavioural change cannot be understated; humans are inherently complex beings and altering deeply ingrained habits such as smoking poses significant hurdles. While many smokers are motivated to break free from their tobacco dependence, they often find themselves lacking the necessary support to navigate this journey successfully. Transformative shifts It becomes evident that behavioural change is pivotal in the quest to eliminate smoking-related deaths and illnesses. Whether through complete cessation or transitioning to less harmful nicotine products, the imperative remains the same: smokers must embrace transformative shifts in their habits to safeguard their health and well-being. This aligns seamlessly with the visionary mission of the FSFW, which aims to eradicate combustible tobacco, toxic forms of tobacco, and smoking-related fatalities and diseases on a global scale, with a particular emphasis on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Less harmful alternatives to combustibles As advocates for public health and wellness, Inter Scientific urge public health officials and policymakers to take decisive action in fostering a more supportive environment conducive to motivating smokers to modify their habits. Introducing and implementing effective measures that encourage reductions in tobacco consumption, facilitate transitions to non-combustible alternatives, or support complete cessation are critical to protecting public health and our future generations. The role of industry in this endeavour is pivotal. Stakeholders must take proactive action to prioritize innovation and development to provide smokers with access to less harmful alternatives that offer a viable pathway to eventual cessation. No smoke without fire However, the aspiration of achieving a tobacco-smoke-free world within the next generation presents a formidable challenge. It necessitates the reassessment of our global approach to smoking cessation, with a renewed emphasis and education on harm reduction strategies. Accepting this paradigm change will surely be an essential first step in achieving our shared goal of a healthier, smoke-free future for future generations. Download, ‘Five approaches to improve smoking cessation outcomes and reduce tobacco harms globally’ below:
Tom Coleman, Inter Scientific's Vape lead, speaks to Jordan North about the harmful constituents found in illegal vape products in BBC's documentary "Jordan North: The Truth About Vaping". Inter Scientific is thrilled to announce our participation in the upcoming TV documentary "Jordan North: The Truth About Vaping". The documentary aims to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges posed by illicit vape products to consumers and how compliance testing plays a pivotal role in protecting consumer safety and the integrity of the legitimate vape industry. Jordan North, a vaper himself, is trying to figure out whether he should quit vaping or not. With the increasing popularity of vapes among young people, there is growing concern about the long-term health effects of vaping, and the government intends to ban disposable vapes in the UK. To make an informed decision, Jordan is seeking answers regarding the safety and contents of vapes. Jordan investigates the impact of vaping on health and discovers that some vapes are illegal in the UK and may contain toxic chemicals harmful to users. He joins Newcastle Trading Standards in raids on shops selling illegal vape products and meets a scientist studying the long-term effects of vaping. Jordan also listens to a young woman who believes vaping has had serious consequences on her health. Save the date for the premiere on BBC Three - Wednesday, 20th March @ 9 pm and BBC One - Monday, 25th March @ 8:30 pm. BBC iPlayer: View on-demand Don't forget to tune in! If you need support de-risking your product portfolio, contact us today. #BBC3 #Vape #IllicitVapeProducts #InterScientific #VapeRegulation #JordanNorthTheTruthAboutVaping Middlechild Productions About Inter Scientific With our combined analytical and regulatory services, we offer a single point solution for product compliance. Our mission is to make regulatory compliance as straightforward as possible, allowing you to unlock global markets. Inter Scientific is dedicated to providing quality scientific data and is multi-accredited against numerous international standards to ensure the highest level of quality, security and data integrity. With a world class laboratory supporting global product submissions and compliance combined with a dedicated specialist ENDS regulatory team, Inter Scientific brings innovative solutions for clients, ensuring the highest level of compliance in the UK, Europe, US and Middle-East.
The UK government made a significant announcement on January 29, 2024, revealing plans to ban disposable vapes. This decision stems from the government's consultation on smoking and vaping, initiated in October last year. As part of a comprehensive approach, the mandate will extend to various aspects, including; flavours, with a focus on restricting those marketed specifically towards children, packaging, which is set to become plainer and less visually appealing, display of vape products in shops, which will be moved out of sight of children, distancing them from enticing products like sweets. While a specific implementation date for the mandate is yet to be determined, companies will have a six-month window to adapt to the changes once the announcement is made. In a move towards fostering a "smoke-free generation," the government is set to outlaw nicotine pouches and other vaping alternatives for individuals under the age of 15. This legislative action aims to prevent the sale of tobacco to children turning 15 this year or younger. Despite the new measures, the government continues to champion its 'Swap to Stop' scheme which tackles youth abuse whilst providing adult smokers with an alternative to traditional combustable cigarettes. This initiative offers support to adult smokers by providing them with a vape kit along with behavioural support. To support the enforcement of these measures, the government has pledged £30 million in new funding to agencies such as Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and Trading Standards. The introduction of new fines is on the horizon, with Trading Standards officers gaining the authority to take immediate action against underage tobacco and vape sales. We will continue to work with Trading Standards across the UK to tackle the challenges associated with illicit vapes, whilst supporting responsible manufacturers whose products comply with applicable regulations. Read the full announcement here. If you need support de-risking your product portfolio, contact us today.
Inter Scientific, Ltd. and Accorto Regulatory Solutions, LLC. announce today that they have entered into a strategic alliance agreement. Inter Scientific Ltd., an industry-leading, ISO 17025/GMP-compliant testing laboratory and compliance firm based in the UK, and Accorto Regulatory Solutions, LLC. (Accorto), a US-based regulatory firm specialising in helping small to mid-sized companies navigate the regulatory landscape to bring their FDA-regulated products to market, announced today that they have entered into a strategic alliance agreement to provide single-point regulatory and testing solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, medical device, nicotine, and cosmetics industries, Through this strategic alliance, companies in the US, Europe, Middle East, and Asia will gain improved access to a seamless integration of Inter Scientific’s global state-of-the-art testing and regulatory compliance expertise in the UK, Europe and Middle East, combined with Accorto’s regulatory strategy development expertise, US FDA regulatory application development & submission services, and project management solutions. The two companies aspire to use this alliance to streamline the regulatory application development process on behalf of global clients, providing a market leading turn-key solution for both regulatory support and associated analytical data development. Inter Scientific co-founder David Lawson said " We are thrilled to unveil our strategic alliance with Accorto. This collaboration represents a significant milestone, offering both new and existing clients a competitive advantage. By aligning with another industry-leading regulatory company that shares the same commitments to quality, urgency, and value, we are confident this will further elevate our standards and capacity. " Inter Scientific and Accorto’s collective service offerings will immediately benefit their clients in the following ways: Expediting time-to-market while reducing overall project costs Mitigating potential risks of sub-optimally aligned strategies, proactively reducing the chances of experiencing costly setbacks and project delays Developing regulatory and product testing strategies that satisfy the requirements of multiple regulatory jurisdictions, streamlining client access to regulated global markets Providing full turn-key regulatory pathway determination, authoring, publishing, submission, deficiency responses and amendments for US PMTA’s, 510(k)’s, and NDA’s, UK TRPR, medical devices and medicines and EU TPD and EU MDR Developing all required analytical data across a broad range of validated analytical testing protocols to support regulatory applications Delivering insight into analytical results through out-of-specification investigations “ We could not be more pleased to be entering into our first strategic alliance with a company like Inter Scientific that has such a fantastic team. This not only provides our clients with the ability to collect data needed to prove the safety and efficacy of their products, but also allows us to shorten their regulatory application timelines, giving them a competitive advantage, ” said Tom Beaudet, CEO of Accorto. “ We are continuously looking for opportunities to add value to the services we provide, and having trusted partners like Inter Scientific allows us to do just that. ” This news comes shortly following Accorto’s announcement of appointing Dr. Kevin Lye to their newly established Medical Advisor role, as well as Inter Scientific’s expansion to a 10,000-square-foot bespoke facility in Liverpool, UK, which will house new in silico and in vitro toxicological services in addition to accommodating dedicated nicotine product and cannabinoid product laboratories. Inter Scientific also provides extractable and leachable analyses for evaluation of pharmaceutical and nicotine products, further expanding the abilities to demonstrate the appropriateness for the protection of public health (APPH) for the associated categories.
Inter Scientific has recently completed device testing of FEELM 2.0. The device has been confirmed to deliver an impressive 1,000 puffs while utilising 2mL of e-liquid (in accordance with the UK legal limit). Test Results & Methodology In order to substantiate the FEELM 2.0’s claims regarding puff count and consistency, we employed precise testing methodologies encompassing the following areas: Puff count Puff consistency E-liquid volume Nicotine concentration You can find details of the performed testing and findings below. Puff count Puff count determines the number of puffs delivered to a user from a device before it runs out of e-liquid, battery power, or both. This attribute was determined using a calibrated multi-port puffing engine with end-point-detection, to accurately determine device end-of-life. All FEELM 2.0 devices tested demonstrated an impressive puff count exceeding 1,000 puffs. Puff consistency and total aerosolised mass Puff consistency testing determines the uniformity and reliability of the amount of e-liquid delivered across all puffs. This was calculated by weight difference per 40 puff block across the lifetime of the device. The FEELM 2.0 device delivered aerosol consistently with a mean total particulate mass variation of 3% RSD over the device lifetime. The total aerosolised mass of e-liquid was determined by the total weight difference of the test devices across their lifetime. Across the three devices tested mean utilisation of e-liquid (the percentage of e-liquid that has been aerosolised) was 77%. E-liquid volume The method involves determining the weight of the device before and after extraction and using the density measured from the e-liquid extracted. TRPR restricts e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2mL. The test measured fill volume for the FEELM 2.0 device was measured as 1.92mL, less than the TRPR 2mL limit. Nicotine concentration The testing of nicotine concentration establishes the quantity of nicotine present in the e-liquid. TRPR 2016 mandates that e-liquids must not exceed a nicotine strength of 20mg/mL. Measured using an accredited test method, nicotine concentration was calculated to be 18.40mg/mL, below the TRPR 20mg/mL limit. Conclusions The comprehensive compliance testing conducted by Inter Scientific affirms that FEELM 2.0 consistently delivers a remarkable puff count, ranging between 1053 and 1099 puffs, thereby warranting a claim of at least 1000 puffs, which surpasses other popular like for like products on the market. The enhanced puff count is achieved through the increased efficiency of e-liquid aerosolization, whilst adhering to the 2mL e-liquid limit set out in TRPR 2016. The FEELM 2.0 device was benchmarked against the requirement of TPD/TRPR 2016 and it was determined that the FEELM 2.0 adheres to the regulatory requirements for nicotine content and volume. The innovations embodied in FEELM 2.0 mark a notable advancement in the vape industry, promising greater product efficiency and benefits for consumers. About Inter Scientific With our combined analytical and regulatory services, we offer a single point solution for product compliance. Our mission is to make regulatory compliance as straightforward as possible, allowing you to unlock global markets. Inter Scientific is dedicated to providing quality scientific data and is multi-accredited against numerous international standards to ensure the highest level of quality, security and data integrity. With a world class laboratory supporting global product submissions and compliance combined with a dedicated specialist ENDS regulatory team, Inter Scientific brings innovative solutions for clients, ensuring the highest level of compliance in the UK, Europe, US and Middle-East. Certification Summary Standard Awarding Body Certificate No. ISO 17025 United Kingdom Accreditation Service 21379 ISO 9001 British Standards Institute FS681824 ISO 14001 British Standards Institute EMS270751 ISO27001 British Assessment Bureau 240561 GMP MHRA UK GMP 49966
