Geek Bar has launched a range of new packaging to help combat counterfeit and non-compliant vaping products.
The company has published a list of approved UK distributors and has worked with the authorities in China to close 12 counterfeit factories in recent months. Over 100,000 vapes, destined for the UK market, have been seized.
The new packaging places greater emphasis on an on-pack security code. Retailers can check the authenticity of products by verifying the security code online.
Retailers and distributors can also report suspected counterfeit and non-compliant products at legal@geekbar.com and the company is incentivising retailers to report counterfeits or products that do not comply with UK regulations.
New packs also include a new top-integrated seal (pictured), which will allow consumers to open the Geek Bar using a tear brace. Geek Bar has also replaced the certification and environmental protection information to emphasise the recyclable nature of the product.
There are several other ways to check whether products are genuine.
These include looking out for low quality printing, with darker and less clear images, all indicative of a fake product. Another sign is if the hologram includes lettering or images of poor quality and if by shining a light on the hologram the lettering or images appear diagonally in relation to the light source, rather than in line with it.
Allen Yang, Chief Executive at Geek Bar, said: “As a leading brand of disposable vapes in the UK, it is crucially important to us that we are putting all the measures in place to ensure non-compliant and counterfeit vapes do not bring harm to our customers.
“We will not accept products that do not meet UK regulations entering the market and we hope that our new packaging will make it easier for people to check the veracity of the products and alert us to any unregulated sales.
“Our message to distributors and retailers who allow this to happen is that it has to stop now.”
