Keller and Heckman Establishes Chinese Regulatory Working Group on Electronic Cigarettes

Keller and Heckman is forming a new coalition of stakeholders dedicated to the development of appropriate regulations and standards for electronic cigarettes (“e-cigs”) and e-liquids in China: the Chinese Regulatory Working Group on Electronic Cigarettes (the “Working Group”).  The vast majority of e-cigs used around the world are produced in China and the domestic Chinese market for these technology products is beginning to grow.  Although there are currently no laws or regulations targeting e-cigs in the People’s Republic, this may soon change.  During the recent 16^th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Abu Dhabi, a spokesman for the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) stated that they intend to develop e-cig product regulations.

When the Chinese authorities start to consider the regulation of new products, they will typically involve industry stakeholders during the regulatory process, e.g., by holding meetings and soliciting comments. Thus, now is the best time to form a regulatory Working Group of e-cig and e-liquid companies in China who want to engage in this process. 

For over 10 years, Keller and Heckman’s Shanghai Office has worked with the Chinese authorities to help develop standards for the food and food additive industries, and has formed many valuable relationships.  We have assisted companies on various regulatory matters and work closely with Chinese government agencies, such as the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), NHFPC, and Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).  In addition, our expertise in the area of e-cig law in the United States and around the world uniquely positions us to help guide Chinese stakeholders through the regulatory process in China. You can learn more about our tobacco and e-cig practice on our website at www.khlaw.com/tobacco.

We invite all interested Chinese stakeholders to join us in proactively approaching the Chinese authorities to develop appropriate regulations and standards tailored to the different product categories within the e-cig industry.

If you are interested in learning more and joining the Working Group, please complete and submit the information form.

UPDATE (May 5, 2015):  At the end of May 2015, we are planning to meet with key officials from the China National Tobacco Corporation and the National Health and Family Planning Commission in Beijing to introduce the Working Group and begin discussions about the development of appropriate regulations and standards tailored to different e-cigarette and e-liquid product categories in China.  If you are interested in officially joining the Working Group, we will be hosting a conference call to discuss our upcoming meetings at 10 am (China time) on Wednesday May 20, 2015 (which is Tuesday May 19 at 10:00 pm ET and 7:00 pm PT).  We will be discussing the Chinese regulatory process, our strategy for the Working Group, as well as the membership fee and funding needs.  If you are interested and would like to participate on the call, please RSVP by emailing chowdhury@khlaw.com by Friday May 15, 2015 and we will send you the call-in details.