American E-Liquid Manufacturers' Standards Association launches

[Oliver]

Dear ECF members,

I am delighted to have the privilege to announce the launch of the American e-liquid Manufacturers' Standards Association (AEMSA).

There is a press release which I invite you to read, which explains the ethos of the association and can be found here, and AEMSA's website can be found at www.AEMSA.org

This could not have happened at a better time. With the US presidential election about to take place, the next phase in the e-cigarette story is going to be written once things have settled down: AEMSA are going to be a critical force in determining what happens next.

Three of our esteemed members have been instrumental in setting this up, along with enthusiastic support from their Charter Members; Lou Ritter (NebulaBrot) has been elected president and is, along with Linc Williams (Baldgroove - director of forthcoming documentary "We Are Vapers") a community advocate, ensuring that the needs of the community are best served. Kurt Kistler (professor of chemistry - Kurt) is lending his considerable expertise as an adviser.

I have had the opportunity to read the Standards, as well as the organizational structure, and it's seriously impressive; designed to hold the safety and well being of vapers to the highest standards while maintaining the independence of the industry from heavy-handed over-regulation. Furthermore, the fact that this has been instigated by two of the most passionate and knowledgeable members of the vaping community will, I believe, set this on course to be the most influential Trade Body vaping has this seen.

This is a big and important step, and I do hope that ECF members will support the project in any way they can. Let's see the 'golden age' of vaping last for many years to come!

EDIT:

Here's the VPLive interview with AEMSA from Weds 10/10/12:

 

[tater_salad]

Very cool to read the standards and see that there are folks out there trying to "legitimize" the fears of kitchen table companies selling juice. I can say that as a consumer, I'd def search out companies that follow the AEMSTA rules.. they just need to come up with a better acronym

 

[Mustang73064]

Hope to see a lot of our juice vendors names on the list. Great start.

 

[Mustang73064]

Very cool to read the standards and see that there are folks out there trying to "legitimize" the fears of kitchen table companies selling juice. I can say that as a consumer, I'd def search out companies that follow the AEMSTA rules.. they just need to come up with a better acronym

Need to get some logo for the splash screens on websites of vendors who support/part of AEMSTA.

 

[Startle]

This is a huge step forward for vaping!

I've just read the 2012 E-LIQUID MANUFACTURING STANDARDS document and everything looks very well thought out and straight to the point without being convoluted by any complicated jargon.

It definitely has the consumers best interest in mind.

I look forward to seeing many other suppliers getting on board asap. In the meantime I will be placing orders today with some of the current members for demonstrating their commitment to these standards and for peace of mind regarding "what's in the bottle" which has been an issue for me.

This has been a long time coming and I'm glad that's it's finally here!

Vape On!

 

[gthompson]

I think my favorite juice vendors need a nudge to join quickly.

 

[tj99959]

Nice start, but I have to agree with that damn Yankee fan. It lacks creditability without a lot more participation from the major suppliers.

 

[elfstone]

This is superb! I love it! Now I hope more juice makers will join this effort, because it is certainly the exact type of action needed to further advance the movement in the right direction. Here's to keeping our fingers crossed that egos and petty politics won't ruin this initiative. DON'T FEED THE TROLLS, lol

 

[DaveyC]

I think this is a HUGE step in non vapers, and the general population to understand that the E cigarette, and vaping community, isn't just a group that is using products with out research, and regulation. I read the press release, and it gave me a great respect for the people who set up this organization, and I see it as a stepping stone for less ridicule by the general population.
On another note, it give me confidence as a buyer, that I know major e liquid companies will be performing by this standard, and I think it is a great way to make us more aware of what we are vaping, instead of having to take the companies word for it, or trial and error.
All in all, great job guys!

 

[jimrug1]

It would be nice if the ECF venders had a way to become AEMSTA approved/certified ect. Patronizing those venders would be a great way to support AEMSTA itself.

 

[DaveyC]

(Sorry for double post)
I sent an e-mail to totally wicked saying they should have in on this movement! Hopefully they join the pack to expand the vendors that are involved!

 

[wolcen]

1.05 (a) The maximum allowable nicotine content in final flavored product will be no greater than 32 mg / ml
Interesting number. Wonder how that came about.

No WTA?

OTOH, I'm glad caffeine is specifically out - that one concerned me a bit.

Here's hoping this catches on!

 

[SuperLuckyLady]

Great job guys. Been waiting for this for a long time.

 

[Cjax]

I applaude the members of AEMSA for taking on this challenge. I personally diy all my juices to provide myself "piece of mind"as to knowing what actually goes into them, but then again I do use flavorings and the ingredients in those are unknown. These standards can only help to satisfy concerns many people have as to what they are actually vaping. Also the attention the organization gets can (hopefully) only help to educate those with misconceptions concerning e cigarettes in general. Good luck, AEMSA!

On the other hand I could see this as a gateway for the government to start taxing ejuice the same way they do cigarettes, even more-so if the tobacco lobbiests have anything to say I guess. Also not sure why the exclusion of Tobacco alkaloids is necessary except to futher separate e cigarettes from traditional ones.

I think this organization may be a step in the right direction, but I worry about too much regulation.

 

[Davenkay]

This is a major step forward to show demonstrate that this fledgling industry is moving ahead in a positive direction. An organization such as this will demonstrate to the skeptics and sooth-sayers that our movement is a well thought out and self policing (don't like that term, but you know what I mean). I demonstrates the industries desire to maintain high standards and eliminate questionable operations that possibly spoil the reputations of the majority of e-juice suppliers.

 

[RippleInStillWater]

Big guys trying to shove out the little guys and people trying to limit choices -- what's new?

This worked out so well for UKVapers.....

 

[Rip Cord]

Congrats. Here's hoping you get the cooperation of our vendors so we can find out who we can depend on.

 

[me1969]

Big guys trying to shove out the little guys and people trying to limit choices -- what's new?

This worked out so well for UKVapers.....

huh?that statement don't even make any sense.

 

[SuperLuckyLady]

Big guys trying to shove out the little guys and people trying to limit choices -- what's new?

This worked out so well for UKVapers.....

I see it more as a move towards more informed choices. You can still choose to patronize anyone you wish.

 

[snork]

1.05 (a) The maximum allowable nicotine content in final flavored product will be no greater than 32 mg / ml
Interesting number. Wonder how that came about.

No WTA?

OTOH, I'm glad caffeine is specifically out - that one concerned me a bit.

Here's hoping this catches on!

Again, no WTA?
My favorite vendor produces WTA and my favorite juice contains it. I can possibly see such a standards organization precluding any extra "ingredients" besides nicotine so as to appear to the outside world that we're on the ball. But it worries me that such exclusions may or may not be based on any scientifically proven basis of harm and that specifically excluding it gives it a connotation that it might not deserve, which is one of the things we're fighting even with nicotine.

My vendor certainly would have no trouble complying with the standards set forth in the documents, in fact does already in most cases. The "No WTA" just seems rather arbitrary.