Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and battery waste entered into force on August 17, 2023, following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union on July 28, 2023. Most of the provisions apply from February 18, 2024, with some exceptions for specific items that will come into force at different times, affecting the battery supply chain in the coming years. From August 18, 2025, portable batteries may only be placed on the market or put into service if they meet the following requirements: Battery recycling symbol All batteries must be marked with the specific battery recycling symbol. Heavy metal content If batteries contain more than 0.002% cadmium or more than 0.004%, they must be marked with the chemical symbol for the metal. Built-in batteries All electronic devices containing a battery must display both the WEEE recycling symbol (crossed-out wheelie bin with a black bar underneath) and the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol for battery recycling on their packaging. CE marking and EU declaration of conformity Battery manufacturers must carry out a conformity assessment and complete a Declaration of Conformity, as set out in the annexes to Regulation (EU) 1542/23, in order to obtain the CE marking. The CE marking must be affixed to the battery in a legible, visible, and indelible manner. If this is not feasible or justifiable given the nature of the battery, the marking shall be affixed to the packaging and accompanying documents. Due diligence Economic operators placing batteries on the market must comply with the due diligence, which must be verified and audited periodically by a notified body. Documentation certifying such compliance must be kept for 10 [...]

In New Zealand, attention towards the vaping industry is growing, particularly with regard to protecting young people. Starting June 17, 2025, new rules under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 come into force, introducing significant restrictions on the sale and promotion of vaping products. One of the most notable changes is the complete ban on disposable vaping devices. These products—long scrutinized by health authorities for their environmental impact and strong appeal to minors—will no longer be allowed to be sold or distributed in the country. In addition, all previous advertising exemptions granted to specialist vape retailers will be revoked. This means that neither physical stores nor online retailers will be allowed to display product images, send promotional communications to customers, or use social media to share information about product availability. Shop windows will need to be covered, and no visual information may be visible from outside. The goal is clear: to significantly reduce the appeal of vaping products among young people. These new rules build on measures introduced in December 2024, which already increased fines for selling to minors and imposed strict limitations on the proximity of vape retailers to schools and childcare centers. Non-compliance will lead to substantial penalties, ranging from NZD 2,000 for minor offenses to NZD 200,000 for serious violations of advertising regulations relating to vaping or non-combustible tobacco products. It’s important to note that some informational messages will still be permitted, provided they are presented in a neutral, non-promotional manner. For example, in-store communications may state that “completely switching from smoking to vaping reduces health harm.” However, even these messages must follow specific formats and may [...]

Extended Producer Responsibility (REP) is an environmental principle recognised by the European Waste Framework Directive, (EU Directive 2018/851) which gives producers financial and/or organisational responsibility for the prevention and management of waste from their end-of-life products. In France, this principle translates into a system where producers must finance or organise the collection, treatment and recycling of the products they place on the market. The system is regulated at national level by the French AGEC (anti-waste) law of 2020. SOGGETTI COINVOLTI: manufacturers online retailers (either directly through their own site or through marketplaces) importers (if the manufacturer is non-European) distributors (in the case of private labels) in general, anyone who first places products on the French market OBLIGATIONS Join an eco-organism Producers must either join a collective system (eco-organism) or create their own individual system. Collective schemes are non-profit structures that collect eco-contributions and organise waste management, whereas individual schemes are autonomous solutions managed directly by the producer, which are less common. Joining an eco-organism entails paying an eco-contribution, which varies according to the type of product and the costs of waste treatment. If a product belongs to two chains, e.g. packaging and WEEE, it is necessary to join both collection chains. CITEO is the main eco-organism in France for packaging and applies a flat fee of 80.00€ for less than 10,000 quantities of units/components put on the market (CSU). The CSU corresponds to each disjointed piece that completes the packaging beyond the basic material: cap, lid, label, wrapper, etc. Besides CITEO (https://www.citeo.com/), there are other accredited eco-organisations, some of which specialise in specific product categories or waste streams. It is therefore possible to [...]

Starting from January 2025, Israel requires graphic health warnings on vaping products, including e-cigarettes and e-liquids. The new regulation, announced by the Israeli Ministry of Health, follows the example of other countries that have already introduced strong visual warnings on alternatives to traditional tobacco products. According to Israeli health authorities, the use of impactful images can serve as an effective deterrent, particularly for minors, by increasing awareness of the health risks associated with e-cigarette use. The requirement includes shocking images similar to those already found on traditional cigarette packs, accompanied by informative texts about the potential health harms. The labels must cover 65% of the packaging surface, both front and back. This measure is part of a broader strategy aimed at tightening regulations in the vaping sector and curbing its growing use among young people.

Panama’s Ministry of Health has announced the entry into force of strict regulations aimed at governing e-cigarettes and vaping products, with the goal of protecting public health, especially that of young people. According to the announcement, the new regulation imposes severe restrictions on the sale, import, and advertising of vaping devices, including both nicotine and non nicotine containing products. The measure explicitly bans the use of appealing flavors and heavily restricts the promotion of these products, particularly through social media and online platforms. The Ministry justified the decision by citing the rising use of e-cigarettes among adolescents and the potential health risks linked to inhaling harmful chemicals. This regulatory crackdown aligns with a global trend in which several countries are adopting restrictive measures on alternative tobacco products. Panama thus joins a growing list of nations prioritizing prevention over the liberalization of the vaping market.

The Lithuanian Parliament has recently passed a new set of laws that significantly tighten tobacco control measures, including regulations on e-cigarettes and vaping products. This move is part of a broader national strategy to reduce nicotine use among youth and safeguard public health. Key elements of the new legislation include: A full ban on flavours in e-cigarettes, with tobacco being the only permitted flavour. Restrictions on sales of vaping products near schools and youth-frequented areas. Stricter advertising rules, especially online, to prevent youth-oriented marketing. Lawmakers emphasized that sweet and fruity flavours play a major role in attracting minors to vaping. The aim is to prevent early initiation and discourage recreational nicotine use. The new regulations will come into force during 2025 and will be supported by public awareness campaigns and enhanced enforcement. With these measures, Lithuania joins other European nations that are tightening their regulatory frameworks on tobacco and alternative nicotine products.

The French Parliament has recently voted unanimously to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. The decision, passed with 104 votes in favor and none against, highlights France's commitment to reducing environmental harm and protecting public health. Disposable devices have gained popularity among young people thanks to their sweet flavors and low price, but they have also sparked public debate due to their high usage rates among minors and their environmental impact. As single-use products, they generate significant amounts of electronic and plastic waste, which are difficult to recycle properly. The new law prohibits the production and sale of disposable e-cigarettes throughout France. Final approval from the Senate and official publication are still pending, but the ban could come into effect by the end of 2025. France thus joins Belgium, the first country to ban these devices, with the aim of limiting access to them and reducing their environmental impact.

On February 12, 2025, the Bulgarian Parliament approved in the first reading a law that provides for a total ban on the sale, distribution, and advertising of electronic cigarettes, both disposable and rechargeable, as well as related accessories, including those without nicotine. The proposal received unanimous support, with 197 votes in favor and none against. The decision was driven by growing concerns over the widespread use of electronic cigarettes among young people and the associated health risks. Bulgaria, which has one of the highest rates of adult smokers in Europe, has seen a significant increase in the use of electronic cigarettes in recent years. Despite previous restrictions on the sale and use of nicotine-containing products for minors under 18, many teenagers continue to access these devices illegally, both through physical retail outlets and online. A tragic event further fueled the public debate: a 14-year-old boy passed away last January after using an electronic cigarette purchased online, which contained the cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). This incident prompted authorities to take stricter measures to protect minors. It is important to note that, at this stage, the law has only been approved in the first reading and may undergo further modifications before final adoption. However, the unanimous vote suggests a strong political will to implement these restrictions in the near future. Additionally, it should be noted that before its approval, Bulgaria had not sought the European Union's authorization for this ban. This could raise concerns about the measure’s compliance with EU law. This initiative places Bulgaria among the countries with the most restrictive regulations in Europe regarding electronic cigarettes. While some EU member states have adopted [...]

Russia is preparing to completely ban electronic cigarettes, both with and without nicotine. The proposal, supported by the Ministry of Health, aims to counter the rise of vaping among young people and protect public health. Since 2023, Russia has progressively tightened restrictions on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. As of June 1, 2023, online sales of e-cigarettes have been prohibited, along with their display in physical retail outlets. Furthermore, starting from March 2024, the production, storage, import, and export of vaping products, whether they contain nicotine or not, require a specific license, and certain e-liquid flavors may be banned. On May 31, 2024, a bill was submitted to the State Duma proposing a total ban on the retail sale of all electronic cigarettes, regardless of nicotine content. The proposal is driven by a significant increase in e-cigarette use among Russian adolescents, with a tenfold rise between 2011 and 2023. In particular, flavored disposable devices are considered especially appealing to minors. Previous regulations had already prohibited the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and the addition of flavors to vaping products. However, the widespread use among young people and the easy accessibility of these devices have led authorities to consider even stricter measures. In December 2023, a law was proposed introducing penalties of up to seven years in prison for the smuggling of vaping products, in an effort to combat the black market and protect public health. These initiatives reflect Russia's strict approach to controlling tobacco and vaping products, with the goal of reducing their spread among young people and preventing potential health risks. On February 19, 2025, the [...]