Audit of existing imported products
Review of the packaging, labels, instructions for use and mandatory information of your range. You receive a findings report with prioritised corrections — what comes first, what comes later.
Regulatory Compliance — Vaping
Your vaping products, placed on the Swiss market in compliance.
We have worked in e-cigarette industry compliance since 2016. Today we guide importers, distributors and manufacturers of e-cigarettes, e-liquids and accessories through the Swiss regulatory framework — from label review and the safety data sheet (SDS) through to registration and customs clearance. The governing instruments are the Federal Act on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes (Tobacco Products Act, TabPG) and the Ordinance on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes (Tobacco Products Ordinance, TabPV).
Experience
In the industry since 2016
Languages
DE FR IT — all three official languages
Legal framework
TabPG and TabPV — on board since they entered into force
91 %
of the products reviewed showed at least one non-conformity. Only three of 32 samples were compliant.
21
sales bans were issued — for exceeded volume, lead content or nicotine content.
107
non-conformities identified, with 19 different reasons.
Source: Kantonales Laboratorium Basel-Stadt (cantonal laboratory), 2025 market campaign on disposable e-cigarettes and e-liquids, carried out after the one-year transitional period of the TabPG expired · Press release · Investigation report (PDF)
Services
Nine areas of work, one point of contact.
Vaping compliance in Switzerland means setting up packaging, documents and processes so that they withstand an inspection — from the first article to the ongoing product range.
Development of compliant packaging
Advice on and creation of Swiss-compliant packaging. Together with your designer, we support you until the artwork is approved as production-ready.
Safety data sheets for e-liquids
Review and adaptation of your safety data sheets to the Swiss requirements. Versions in German, French and Italian included.
Registration of imported products
Registration of imported products with the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) as required by law. We prepare the complete dossiers and submit them on time.
Communication with authorities and conflict management
Correspondence, follow-up questions, objections and controls: we formulate responses objectively and on time, and support the proceedings through to their conclusion.
Audit of website and online shop
Review of product information, mandatory notices, age verification and advertising restrictions. On request we provide graphic templates and notice texts.
Prevention and general compliance
General compliance advice for persons placing products on the market in Switzerland: processes, responsibilities and documentation, before a problem arises.
Requirements of the environmental authorities
Disposal, take-back obligations and battery issues for e-cigarettes and disposable products. We clarify what applies to your range and implement it with you.
Import documentation for customs
Compilation, review and coordination of the documents for importing e-cigarettes into Switzerland — so that the goods do not get held up at the border.
For the review of packaging and package leaflets, fixed prices per article apply. All other services are quoted as a flat project fee after assessing the scope.
Work sample
This is what Swiss compliance looks like.
Schematic illustration of an e-liquid label under the TabPG and the Tobacco Products Ordinance (TabPV) — 10 ml refill container, 20 mg/ml nicotine, the way we review and build labelling.
E-Liquid
10 ML / 20 MG/ML NIKOTIN
GEFAHR!
DANGER!
PERICOLO!
GHS06 · H301
16–20 mg/ml
16–20 mg/ml
DE | WARNHINWEIS: Giftig bei Verschlucken. FR | AVERTISSEMENT : Toxique en cas d'ingestion. IT | AVVERTENZA : Tossico in caso di ingestione.
- InhaltsstoffeIngrédientsIngredienti
- Glycerin, Propylenglykol, Nikotin, AromaGlycérine, Propylène glycol, Nicotine, ArômeGlicerina, Glicole propilenico, Nicotina, Aroma
- NikotinstärkeTeneur en nicotineConcentrazione di nicotina
- 20 mg/ml
- VolumenVolumeVolume
- 10 ml
- Charge
- L-2026-081
- UFI
- XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
- Importeur
- Muster AG, Musterstrasse 1, CH-0000 Musterort, +41 XX XXX XX XX · Reversnummer: XXXX
- Made in
- Land der Herstellung
- Beipackzettel
- DE / FR / IT
Dieses Produkt wird nicht für den Gebrauch durch Minderjährige sowie Nichtraucherinnen und Nichtraucher empfohlen / L'utilisation du produit n'est pas recommandée aux mineurs ni aux non-fumeurs / L'uso del prodotto è sconsigliato ai minorenni e ai non fumatori.
NUR FÜR ERWACHSENE
Dieses Produkt kann Ihre Gesundheit schädigen und macht stark abhängig.
Ce produit peut nuire à votre santé et crée une forte dépendance.
Questo prodotto può nuocere alla tua salute e provoca un'elevata dipendenza.
- Health warning with the statutory wording in the three official languages and in the order DE, FR, IT — «Dieses Produkt kann Ihre Gesundheit schädigen und macht stark abhängig.» / «Ce produit peut nuire à votre santé et crée une forte dépendance.» / «Questo prodotto può nuocere alla tua salute e provoca un'elevata dipendenza.» — at least one third of the surface, bordered in black, legible and permanently affixed.
- Further H- and P-statements (hazard and precautionary statements) corresponding to the classification in the safety data sheet — mandatory information under chemicals legislation (Chemicals Ordinance (ChemV) in conjunction with CLP), in the official languages.
- Complete mandatory information: ingredients in three languages, nicotine strength in mg/ml, volume, batch, UFI, importer with Revers number, country of manufacture, package leaflet DE/FR/IT.
- Max. 10 ml refill container, max. 2 ml for disposables and cartridges.
- Child-resistant, tamper-evident, leak-proof refilling mechanism.
Process
Four steps to approval.
Step 1
Initial consultation
An overview of your range, its origin and the schedule. We tell you where we suspect risks and which scope of review makes sense — with no obligation.
Step 2
Findings report
Review of the samples and documentation. You receive a list of the deviations, ordered by urgency.
Step 3
Implementation
Artwork, package leaflets, safety data sheets and registration — we support everything through to approval.
Step 4
Ongoing support
New articles, amendments to the law, enquiries from the authorities — on call or as an annual mandate.
Legal framework
TabPG and TabPV: separate rules since October 2024.
The Federal Act on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes (Tobacco Products Act, TabPG) and the Ordinance on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes (Tobacco Products Ordinance, TabPV) entered into force on 1 October 2024. E-cigarettes and e-liquids are thus regulated as a distinct category under Swiss law for the first time — with their own requirements on labelling, container sizes, advertising and youth protection.
At the same time, the previous detour via the Cassis de Dijon principle no longer applies. An EU-compliant product is therefore not automatically compliant in Switzerland: anyone placing products on the Swiss market must meet the local mandatory information requirements — in three languages, with a person placing products on the market in Switzerland.
- TabPG
- TabPV
- Chemicals legislation
- Safety data sheet
- BAZG
- Environmental requirements
- Advertising law
- Youth protection 18+
Independent
In the industry since 2016. In the new Swiss law since 2024.
Active in the vaping industry since 2016, focusing on regulatory support for international importers in Germany and Switzerland.
Since the Tobacco Products Act and the Tobacco Products Ordinance entered into force in October 2024, the focus has been on Switzerland. The requirements for labelling, safety data sheets and registration have changed fundamentally — and are continually being refined.
In constant exchange with the Swiss Vape Trade Association (SVTA) and with the competent authorities. Amendments to the law and questions of interpretation are thus incorporated into the advice at an early stage.
VAPECONFORM does not place products on the market and is not a trader in the Swiss market. There is no conflict of interest towards clients — reviews are carried out exclusively on behalf of the importer.
VAPECONFORM is a private consulting service, not an authority. We act independently of authorities and testing bodies.
Compliance consulting, not legal representation.
Consequences
An objection affects the goods, not just the label.
Controls are carried out by the cantonal enforcement authorities. They take samples in retail, check labelling, ingredients and package leaflets and, where necessary, commission analytical testing. The objection is then addressed to the person placing the product on the market — to you, not to your customer on the shelf.
Sales ban
The most common measure. It affects the entire batch, not the single item objected to. Goods already delivered must be recalled.
Remedial action under a deadline
New labels, new package leaflets, sometimes repackaging the entire order. The work is carried out under time pressure and at unit costs that would have been a fraction at the initial production stage.
Destruction
Where remedial action is not possible — for example with an exceeded tank volume or impermissible ingredients — the product cannot be placed on the market. The value of the goods is lost, and disposal costs are added on top.
Entire categories
The Federal Supreme Court has ruled that the tank volume of disposable e-cigarettes may not exceed 2 ml and cannot be extended by an attached cartridge. Hybrid devices, so-called Big Puffs, may no longer be made available on the market since then (Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), FAQ on the implementation of the TabPG). A misjudgement in product selection devalues the entire stock.
Criminal proceedings
Under Art. 45 TabPG, anyone who intentionally contravenes the provisions is liable to a fine of up to 40 000 francs; in cases of negligence the fine is up to 20 000 francs. Anyone who places on the market products that endanger health when used as intended commits an offence and risks a custodial sentence or a monetary penalty.
Consequential damage
Cantonal laboratories publish the results of their campaigns. A sales ban remains in the memory of trading partners, even if the defect was remedied long ago. And an authority that has objected to a business once will inspect it again — the Basel laboratory has announced further market controls.
The effort of a review before import bears no relation to the cost of a correction afterwards.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Which laws apply to e-cigarettes and e-liquids in Switzerland?
The Tobacco Products Act (TabPG) and the Tobacco Products Ordinance (TabPV) have applied since 1 October 2024. They regulate e-cigarettes and e-liquids as a distinct category for the first time, covering, among other things, labelling, container sizes, advertising and youth protection. Chemicals legislation, packaging law and environmental law also remain relevant.
In which languages must the packaging and instructions for use be available?
Mandatory information such as the health warning must appear on the packaging in the three official languages, German, French and Italian. This also applies to essential information in the instructions for use and the package leaflet. Labelling solely in English is not permissible for the Swiss market.
Which container sizes are permissible for e-liquids?
Refill containers may hold a maximum of 10 ml, disposable products and prefilled cartridges a maximum of 2 ml. The containers must be child-resistant and tamper-evident and have a leak-proof refilling mechanism. The nicotine content is limited to 20 mg/ml.
Do e-liquids need a safety data sheet?
Yes — depending on the classification of the mixture, chemicals legislation requires a safety data sheet (SDS). It must meet the Swiss requirements and be available to persons placing products on the market in the national languages. We review existing data sheets and adapt them.
My product is EU-compliant — is that sufficient for Switzerland?
No. With the TabPG and the TabPV entering into force, the previous detour via the Cassis de Dijon principle no longer applies. Switzerland has its own requirements, for example regarding the languages of the mandatory information and the person placing products on the market, who must have a Swiss address. An EU-compliant product is therefore not automatically compliant in Switzerland.
How long does a packaging project take?
Usually two to six weeks. The decisive factors are the number of articles, the languages and the number of correction cycles with the designer. After the initial consultation you will receive a binding schedule.
Do you also work with foreign manufacturers?
Yes, a large proportion of our clients manufacture outside Switzerland. Collaboration is fully remote. Advice and correspondence are provided in German or English; packaging texts, package leaflets and safety data sheets are also supplied in French and Italian. On request, we handle all coordination with your Swiss importer.
What does working together cost?
The initial review of a packaging costs CHF 150 per article, the full review including the package leaflet CHF 280 per article. All other services are quoted as a flat project fee after assessing the scope. An initial assessment based on a product image and the safety data sheet is free of charge. Ongoing support is available on request as a monthly flat rate.
Prices
Fixed price per article, no hourly-rate risk.
Two defined scopes of review at a fixed price. You know in advance what the assessment will cost — and in both cases you receive a written findings report that your graphic designer can work with directly.
Initial packaging review
CHF 150 per articlePrimary and outer packaging checked against the TabPG and the TabPV, including the labelling required under chemicals legislation based on your safety data sheet. Written findings with concrete instructions for correction.
Full product review
CHF 280 per articleAdditionally the package leaflet and product information under Art. 17 TabPG, as well as a review of trilingualism across all packaging levels.
Prices per article. Products of the same series with an identical packaging structure count as one article plus a check of the deviations. The adaptation of safety data sheets is not included and is quoted according to the effort involved.
An initial assessment based on a product image and the safety data sheet is free of charge.
All other services — range audits, development of compliant packaging, adaptation of safety data sheets, registration with the BAZG, communication with the authorities, online shop audits, environmental and customs matters — are quoted as a flat project fee after assessing the scope. Ongoing support is available on request as a monthly flat rate.
Prices in Swiss francs, excluding VAT. Invoicing is carried out in euros at the reference rate of the European Central Bank on the day of invoicing; on request we invoice in Swiss francs. As a service supplied from abroad, the invoice is subject to reverse charge (acquisition tax), which is declared by the recipient of the service. Our General Terms and Conditions are available in German only; the German version is binding.
Contact
Send us your product range.
For an initial assessment, a photo of the packaging, the current safety data sheet and your article list are sufficient. You will receive a reply within two working days.
Send enquiry by emailConsultations are held remotely by telephone, video and email, in German or English. On-site appointments in Switzerland by arrangement.
Please state
- Product type
- Number of articles
- Country of origin and manufacturer
- Already on sale
- Existing objection by an authority
- Desired market entry
Confidentiality: We treat documents, formulations, supply sources and objections as strictly confidential and do not pass them on to third parties. On request, we will provide a non-disclosure agreement before the first exchange of data.