Our Testing Explained

What does it mean?

Database Explained

Low Risk

For nicotine and fill volume, this shows that the results are within the UK legal limit. For other tests, this shows that the substance was below our limit of detection and is not considered present.

Medium Risk

This shows that this substance was detected, but is within our safety limits (which are specified below).

High Risk

For nicotine and fill volume, this shows that the result exceeds the UK legal limit. For other tests, this shows that the substance was not within our safety limits.

Not Tested

This symbol shows that this criteria was not tested for this sample.

At Vape Aware, we conduct testing across various metrics designed around your requirements and the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR).

Some of the chemicals we detect can be influenced by the flavour and other ingredients. These can form harmful products during the use of a vape. High levels can represent issues with the design of the e-liquid or vape, rather than intentionally putting an unsafe vape onto the market. We aim to provide a balanced and transparent snapshot of the product’s safety, and compliance with UK legislation.

Nicotine strength is the concentration of nicotine in a vape product, usually represented as a percentage or as milligrams per millilitre (mg/ml).


This determines the amount of nicotine a consumer will inhale per puff, and over the life of the vape’s use. Different strengths are made available to users in the UK by the manufacturer, and can legally be anywhere between 0% to 2% or 20 mg/ml. These limits are in place to ensure consumer safety, helping to prevent excessive exposure to nicotine and reducing the risk of toxicity.
Results below 20 mg/ml are considered compliant and will be marked in green, whilst anything above this limit is non-compliant and will be marked in red.

This is the volume of e-liquid per product, and will be represented in millilitres (ml).
This volume is restricted under UK legislation to a maximum of 2 ml for a vape tank, pod or cartridge and 10 ml for an e-liquid refill container. This ensures manufacturers adhere to safe levels and users are not exposed to excess quantities.
Vape tanks, pods and cartridges with a volume below 2 ml and refill containers below 10 ml are considered compliant and so will be marked in green. Anything above this limit is non-compliant and will be marked in red.
 

There are two main types of nicotine used in e-liquids: freebase nicotine and nicotine salts. Both are common in today’s vape products, and each provides a different vaping experience.


Freebase nicotine is the original form used in early vaping devices. It’s the purest form of nicotine, but it’s absorbed more slowly by the body compared to nicotine salts.


Nicotine salts are created by combining freebase nicotine with organic acids (like benzoic acid or lactic acid).

This is the amount of chromium, nickel or lead found in the aerosol.
These metals usually originate from the materials used in the components of the vape or contamination from the manufacturing process. During use of a vape, the metal coil heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol that the user inhales. Whilst certain metals may be present, they must remain within the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) limit. Under UK legislation (TRPR), manufacturers are required to report the levels of metals in aerosols.


At Vape Aware, we have adopted safety limits for chromium, nickel and lead.

Metals Green Amber Red

Chromium
<1.1 µg/g
1.1-1.39 µg/g
>1.39 µg/g

Nickel
<2.7 µg/g
2.7-3.33 µg/g
>3.33 µg/g

Lead
<2.2 µg/g
2.2-2.78 µg/g
>2.78 µg/g
This is the amount of three cancer causing chemicals that are commonly associated with tobacco products.
These are N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK) and glycidol. These are among the most carcinogenic chemicals found in tobacco products.
Nitrosamines Green Amber Red

NNN
<0.298 µg/g
0.298-0.4 µg/g
> 0.4 µg/g

NNK
<0.0008 µg/g
0.0008-0.01 µg/g
>0.01 µg/g

Glycidol
<0.667 µg/g
0.667-0.833 µg/g
>0.833 µg/g
Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol are chemicals that belong to the glycol family. While they share similarities with Propylene Glycol, a common and safe ingredient used in many e-liquids, Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol are highly toxic.
Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol are typically used in industrial products like antifreeze and hydraulic fluids, and should never be present in e-liquids. When consumed, even in small amounts, they can cause severe harm to the body. The way the body breaks them down produces dangerous byproducts and in certain quantities they can be fatal, especially if ingested by children.
At Vape Aware all products are tested for these harmful compounds. If Ethylene Glycol or Diethylene Glycol are detected the result will be flagged red in the database. If no traces are found, the product will be marked green, indicating it meets the safety requirement.
In order to be legally sold in the UK, a vape product must be listed with the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Every legal vape or vape product has a European Community Identification number (ECID) or Great Britain Identification number (GBID), which is registered with the MHRA. If the ECID/GBID is either not listed with the MHRA or is not present at all, this category will be marked in red. If the ECID/GBID is registered with the MHRA, this will be marked in green.
This covers the presence of key label elements. This does not constitute a formal packaging review but includes checks of the packaging for the following elements.
 
  • Is the volume of the tank stated?
  • Is the nicotine concentration stated?
  • Whether the packaging is tamper-evident?
  • Is there a leaflet or adequate information on the label?
  • Is the batch number present?
  • Does the packaging recommend to “keep away from children”?
  • Is the nicotine warning present and correct?
  • Are there any prohibited elements on the packaging (i.e. resembling cosmetics or food, environmental advantages, symbols/trademarks, etc.)?
  • Are the WEEE/UKCA/CE symbols present?
  • Are the manufacturer contact details present?
 
If these elements are all present this will be marked in green. If there is a point that is missing or presented incorrectly this will be marked in red.