E-Cig Explosions Targeted in New Safety Standard

U.S. and Canadian standards institutes have their first safety standard aimed at preventing e-cigarettes from catching fire and exploding, according to UL LLC, which developed the requirements.

The performance standard, ANSI/CAN/UL 8139, covers the electrical systems of electronic cigarettes with built-in, non-removable battery cells, UL official Michael Sakamoto told Bloomberg Law May 18.

E-cigarettes use lithium-ion battery technology, which provides steady energy in a small package. But they’re subject to overheating and the number of incidents involving e-cigarettes continues to grow.

“The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products has identified around 274 incidents of e-cigarette overheating, fires, and explosions” through June ...