Chinese e-cigarette company RELX Technology released announcement to warn vapers to stay away from compatible pods and counterfeit engraved devices. RELX announced on its website: We have seen a rise in the production and sale of illicit RELX products being sold online.
There is no indication that such products are manufactured to the strict quality and reliability standards that RELX prides itself on or information about the content of these products. These illicit products bring great risk to consumers who think they are purchasing authentic RELX products.
RELX warned their current and potential customers that compatible e-liquid pods—particularly the transparent ones, engraved RELX devices and co-branded RELX devices sold from unverified vendors are not genuine RELX products. For assurance of quality and reliability, RELX suggested customers should avoid purchasing these illicit products and buy only from verified channels.
According to test results from RELX’s laboratory, the illicit compatible pods often use inferior e-liquids; contain harmful substances like toluene at levels that greatly exceed normal standards; and the nicotine content does not match what is advertised on the packaging. Most compatible pods also have serious e-liquid leakage problems. Counterfeit RELX devices engraved with a luxury brand’s logo are also sold on different social media networks like Facebook and Instagram.
The counterfeit engraved devices are believed to be produced in factories with no certification, which is not only a serious violation of RELX’s intellectual property, but are also a safety hazard, as their batteries are not properly tested. There have already been a number of cases where the battery of an engraved device has exploded. RELX’s Golden Shield team has been working with other brands and local law enforcement in China to find and stop the production and sale of illicit vape products.
Since 2019, the Golden Shield team has worked with local law enforcement in China on a number of cases to reduce the production and sale of illicit vapor products. Customers should only buy products from authorized channels and use QR code scanners to verify the authenticity of RELX products.