Safety

Millions of consumers since 2010
Responsible and compliant in 85+ countries
Complete and open safety profiling


Smoke-free R&D know-how since 2009

Here at Ritchy, we have been developing unique industry knowledge since 2009, enabling us to effectively and precisely control e-liquid product safety in a wide variety of areas.

• Calibration for hundreds of components
• Unique methods of nicotine analysis
• Tobacco-specific nitrosamines and dozens of unique analytical methods
• Toxicity profiling
• Emission testing
• High-speed centrifugation with mass-spectrometry testing

Rigorous testing standards for components and final products

With more than a thousand components used for e-liquid development, Ritchy uses an in-house laboratory to test 100% of all upcoming batches of raw materials for safety and standards.

Most components are passed through a Volatile Components Gas Mass-Spectrometer; an expensive testing process that is common within the pharmaceutical industry. Batches also undergo heavy metal testing on Plasma Mass-spectrometers, and non-volatiles are passed through external Liquid Mass-spectrometry equipment.

Zero Cross-Contamination protocol

A variety of internal procedures are rigorously observed at all times to ensure complete isolation of surface contamination between different liquids.

With more than 300 SKU’s of products, it requires a very special approach that Ritchy has carefully mastered over the years.

This stringent compliance with internal protocols has allowed Ritchy to manufacture uncontaminated products with pure favours for many years.

Automatic Gravimetric Compounding

There are two common ways for components to be measured during the dosing process. Volumetric (by volume) and gravimetric (by weight).

Volumetric measurement systems are fundamentally simplistic, employing the use of measure marked containers, with which the operator is required to visually check the amount of component as it is added to a mixing tank. This approach is less than ideal, as operators often make mistakes, and on top of that, small quantities of residual component often remain within the original container.

Furthermore, measurement containers are often re-used, but in doing so there is virtually no way to ensure they are completely clean between batches using different materials.

To tackle this issue, Ritchy has developed its own unique compounding method. Using a precision “state-of-the-art” gravimetric system, with a tolerance accuracy measurable to 0.01%, peristaltic pumps automatically deliver components into the mixture by weight. Components in use are automatically checked by RFID scanner from the original component container. This way, the possibility of operator error is almost completely eliminated, and mixing accuracy variance is better than 0.1%.

While more companies are switching to this approach, it is still relatively unique within the vaping industry and more in line with pharmaceutical standards.

Vacuum sealing verification

E-liquid is a product that is readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen. Ultra-High Purity Nitrogen is used by Ritchy to remove air from production containers before mixing.

All products bottled by Ritchy are then passed through vacuum testing not once but twice (-65kPa, 3 times for 30 minutes), surpassing typical industry requirements for general transportation leakage tests. This process allows us to ensure all containers are uncontaminated and airtight when packed, and the end customer only ever receives a product that is in perfect condition.

Unique security code on each product with online verification

Since 2014, Ritchy has been using a security and batch tracking system developed in-house. Every single bottle produced carries a 2D code that is stored in our database and is accessible to customers. This system can be used to validate a product is genuine by a simply scanning the QR scan and checking online (because the number of checks is limited, any potential counterfeit products, mimicking our unique system would run out of codes).

Internally, Ritchy can even check batches of Raw Materials used in the manufacture of any given product using this same code system. In our production process, all batches of materials are verified by RFID against the Ritchy Material Tracking Database. Ritchy tracks tens of millions of bottles and more than ¼ million people have successfully validated their products using our QR checking system.

Full batch sample retention control

Ritchy produces tens of thousands of batches of products, and after all precautionary steps ( Q.A. and Q.C. ) have been satisfied, the company stores a sample from every single batch in normal warehouse conditions. Should there ever be a query regarding product quality, a sample will always be available for the same product batch held in storage for exactly the same time as the product in a shop. This enables technicians at Ritchy to quickly and thoroughly analyze a product for any inconsistencies while held in storage.

Using the Complete Raw Material Tracing Database, Ritchy can quickly react and identify batches of products that could have potentially been affected. While nothing dangerous has ever been found in our products, the ability to quickly react and ensure that any liquid is within its specification is a unique advantage of Ritchy, and reassuring to all of our customers and ourselves.

General List of ingredients and maximum concentration limits

Ritchy company has decided to publish all product components used in Liqua and Aramax e-liquids, and invites all professional vaping manufacturers to join this movement and publicly share

Open Policy Letter

Ritchy Group CEO goes public with its Open Policy Letter, signed by CEO Max Kosenko, states its commitments to share important product safety data and invites other vaping

Vaping compliance

There are many laws and regulations that affect the e-cigarette industry in Europe. Some come directly from EU institutions which impact all member states. Others are on the national level and their impact is limited only to the respective country. The key message of all regulations is that only safe products should be available on the market. 

From 20th of November 2016 Ritchy supply TPD/CLP compliant product to all EU markets. Ritchy ensure timely notification of all products supplied and fully support our trade partners during transitional period.

E-cigarettes regulation in Europe

There are many laws and regulations that affect the e-cigarette industry in Europe. Some come directly from EU institutions which impact all members states. Others are on the national level and their impact is limited only to the respective country. The key message of all regulations is that only safe products should be available on the market.

The 2 major regulations for vaping products across the whole of the EU are:

Regulation and Tobacco Products Directive (TPD):

The Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for tobacco and related products, while ensuring a high level of health protection for European citizens. The Directive, which is based on the proposal of the European Commission, entered into force on 19 May 2014 and became applicable in the EU Member States on 20 May 2016.








TOBACCO PRODUCTS DIRECTIVE 
(2014/40/EU) OF THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

What does TPD Regulate?

  • Product restrictions
  • Packaging and labelling restrictions
  • Obligation to notify
  • Advertising, promotion and sponsorship
  • Sales channels

Source: European Comission

Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP):

The Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation ((EC) No 1272/2008) is based on the United Nations’ Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and its purpose is to ensure a high level of protection of health and the environment, as well as the free movement of substances, mixtures and articles.

CLP is legally binding across the Member States and directly applicable to all industrial sectors. It requires manufacturers, importers or downstream users of substances or mixtures to classify, label and package their hazardous chemicals appropriately before placing them on the market.

CLP sets detailed criteria for the labelling elements: pictograms, signal words and standard statements for hazard, prevention, response, storage and disposal, for every hazard class and category. It also sets general packaging standards to ensure the safe supply of hazardous substances and mixtures. In addition to the communication of hazards through labelling requirements, CLP is also the basis for many legislative provisions on the risk management of chemicals.

Source: ECHA

Four pillars of our regulatory / compliance system

Monitoring of latest and upcoming compliance requirements in every market through:​​

  • contact with authorities (local and EU level);
  • contact with distributors and trade partners;
  • involvement in associations, participation on industry conferences;
  • cooperation with independent experts, agencies (chemical, law, etc.);
  • contact with business intelligence agencies.

R&D and Quality / Product management:

  • close cooperation of our supply chain, quality and legal teams along with thorough testing and verification protocols assure superb quality and compliance of our products;
  • packaging and product compliance.

System that ensures timely notifications of products in every market through:

  • internal databases/content management systems;
  • IT tools directly working with the EU-CEG system.

Risk management / Benchmarking:

  • best practice and competition monitoring;
  • Internal quality management system.
CLP-REGULATION (EC) ON CLASSIFICATION, 
LABELLING AND PACKAGING OF SUBSTANCES
AND MIXTURES, AMENDING AND REPEALING
NO 1272/2008

How Ritchy meets TPD requirements?

Product compliance

Based on our analysis of the legal framework and its practical implementation in each country, we make sure our existing products meet those requirements for product


E-liquid nicotine concentration is limited to 20 mg/ml (2%)

Tanks / clearomisers / prefilled cartridges cannot contain more than 2 ml of liquid

E-liquid bottles cannot contain more than 10 ml

Products (including devices and bottles) must be child-proof and tamper-proof

The nozzle of vape bottles should be at least 9mm long and shouldn't allow above 20 drops per minute

Only ingredients of high purity are used in the manufacture of the nicotine-containing liquid

The TPD prescribes that nicotine-containing liquid does not contain any of the following substances:

  • Vitamins or other additives that create the impression that a tobacco product has a health benefit or presents reduced health risks.
  • Caffeine or taurine or other additives and stimulant compounds that are associated with energy and vitality.
  • Additives with colouring properties for emissions.
  • Additives that have CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic) properties in unburnt form

Compliant packaging

While perfecting the product internally we also focus on packaging. We check that we have all locally required market information on every pack (CLP, TPD ) and that the product presentation is compliant.

The TPD and CLP establishes a series of requirements that affect certain aspects of the labelling and packaging of e-cigs, including an obligation to include a health warning on unit packets and any outside packaging of e-cigarette products. All products must be sold with information on packages, leaflets and health warning refill containers include appropriate instructions for refilling, including diagrams.


A health warning, shall appear on 2 largest surfaces of the unit packet and any outside packaging and cover >30% of the surface of the unit packet.

Instructions for use and storage of the product.

An indication of the nicotine content.

Instructions for use and storage of the product.

TPD Notifications

The TPD imposes an obligation to provide detailed product information to the competent authorities of each member state in which an e-cig product that contains or could contain nicotine will be placed on the market. No product is allowed onto the market unless it has been notified in the member state where it is distributed.


Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to notify your products in my country?
No, all notifications are submitted via a Common Entry Gate by Ritchy.

Have you notified all LIQUA products in my country?
We have submitted product notifications to all markets we do business in. The number of products notified in each country varies based on our portfolio strategy. Please consult your local Ritchy sales manager for specific information on which products have been notified in your country.

Who is responsible for the compliance of our products?
Ritchy bears full responsibility for the compliance, quality and safety of our products.

Can you provide me with notification confirmation of products you supply to me?
Yes, we can provide you confirmation stating that all products that we supply are TPD compliant and notified. However please note that some countries still do not have 100% of legislation in place, so requirements may change.

Can you provide confirmation stating that all products you supply me are TPD compliant?
Yes, we can provide you confirmation stating that all products that we supply are TPD compliant and notified. However please note that some countries still do not have 100% of legislation in place, so requirements may change.

Is your hardware (vape kits) TPD compliant?
Yes, our vape kits are fully TPD compliant. We include a leaflet with requested information and health warnings where required by EU member states.