As heated tobacco products such as IQOS become more popular, the standards and consistency of these products and their manufacture need to be regulated in order to protect consumers.
Our CEO, David Lawson, has recently been involved in the creation of PAS (Publicly Available Specification) 8850:2020, a specification which sets baseline standards for the “tobacco, additives, and materials used in the manufacture” of heated tobacco products.
We recommend that anyone involved in the development, manufacture or distribution of heated products consults PAS 8850:2020.
What is PAS 8850:2020?
A PAS or Publicly Available Specification is often the first stage of national or international standardisation in a particular area. PAS 8850:2020 has been developed by industry as a method to initiate the standardisation of testing for heated tobacco products (non-combusted tobacco products). In the absence of national legislation, this provides industry with a guideline for the testing of such products to ensure a level of uniformity across labs and companies developing in this category.
What are HTPs?
Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) are electronic devices which heat tobacco rather than burning it. They have been the subject of media attention lately as IQOS, a HTP which was already popular in Japan and Europe, was authorised by the FDA as a “modified risk tobacco heating product.”
As a result of this authorisation, more HTPs are expected to be developed and put on the market in the near future.
Why specifications are important in the tobacco industry
New products are being created all the time, especially as technology continues to move forward and improve. However, it’s important that these innovative new technologies and products are suitable for use and don’t pose a risk to the general public.
Setting out specifications such as those in PAS 8850:2020 for heated tobacco products allow manufacturers and other organisations to ensure that products are safe before they are introduced to the market.
The specifications set out in PAS 8850:2020
PAS 8850:2020 covers specifications for the following areas:
- Tobacco
- Additives
- Materials used in the manufacture of heated tobacco products
- Conformity of electronic components to relevant safety standards
- Manufacturing and product traceability
- Heated tobacco product stability
- Chemical analyses of tobacco attributes
- Heated tobacco product emissions
Why you should use this specification
PAS 8850:2020 sets out neutral guidelines for both the manufacturers of heated tobacco products and trade associations and regulatory enforcement agencies, who may be involved in ensuring public safety.
The guidelines cover everything used in the manufacture of heated tobacco products, so by consulting this PAS before and during the development of new products, you can ensure that they comply with the guidelines and are more likely to comply with future regulations in the industry.
If you are involved in the production or development of these products, it’s important that you use PAS 8850:2020 in order to ensure that your products meet the recommended specifications.
The post PAS 8850:2020: Heated Tobacco Products appeared first on Inter Scientific.
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