UPDATE: The deadline has been extended until October 12.
Whom does the bell toll for? It tolls for thee. But that sound may have been postponed per the new FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb.
For those in the vape business, you know that that all vaping products were required to be “registered” by September 30, 2017. Failure to do so would make the sale of any product “illegal” and prosecutable. The reality is that that probably would not happen, but the letter of the law is the letter of the law. (Read the Daily Vaper’s recent report on how the September 30 deadline could turn vape shop owners into criminals).
Retail vape shops were just as exposed as mom-and-pop outfits, as they would have to require manufacturers and suppliers to supply proof of certification for any products they carried in their shops.
There have been problems, and for now the deadline has been vaguely “postponed.” No one knows for how long, but by the time you read this we may have more information.
What do we know?
Problem #1: The FDA site for registration has been overwhelmed and prone to crashing. Again. We have seen this with every deadline imposed post-deeming regs since last year. Stories of inputted information suddenly GONE are everywhere. Based on the advice of many experts you should submit your information via hard copy just to be sure. One more example of a system that was not prepared for the rules they enacted.
Problem #2: Hurricanes Harvey and Irma created havoc and damage throughout much of Texas and Florida and beyond. Two of the most devastating storms in decades wiped out electricity in the Southeast so the FDA was motivated to offer breathing room.
What now?
The vaping community has been in denial for a long time and procrastination is the norm. Even though we now have additional time, please do not think this is a permanent condition. We have no idea what the new deadline will be. Get your products registered and submitted and if you need help let us know.
We’re here to help. Do you have questions about mastering the vape industry? If so, send them on to norm@VapeMentors.com, and we’ll address them in future columns.
Norm Bour is the founder of VapeMentors and creator of the VAPE U online programs. They offer services & resources for anyone in the vape space, including vape shops, online stores and e-liquid brands. He’s also the host of Vape Radio, the largest vaping radio show in the world with more than 1.3 M downloads.
As a founding partner in the Vape Industry Business Exchange (VIBE), Norm is committed to supporting the vape space into this Brave New World.
Contact him at norm@VapeMentors.com.