A vape SKU-by-market eligibility matrix records what was checked for one exact product in one exact destination. It prevents a common wholesale error: treating a brand, warehouse, certificate or approval in one market as evidence that every variant can be sold everywhere.
Reviewed: August 2, 2026 by the Artifact Vapor Editorial Team. This page supplies a review template, not legal advice, regulatory approval or a list of Artifact Vapor SKUs cleared for sale. Rules and official records can change; verify them close to the transaction date.
What decision does the matrix support?
The matrix supports a controlled commercial decision: whether a defined buyer has enough current evidence to proceed with a defined SKU for a named destination and business role. It should not use a single global “compliant” field. Instead, it separates identity, product format, regulatory record, packaging, commercial role and reviewer decision.
| Matrix level | Required definition | Do not substitute |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | Manufacturer, brand, exact model, variant, SKU and barcode | A brand or product-family name |
| Product format | Rechargeable/refillable configuration, nicotine, liquid and packaging details | A marketing category such as “new model” |
| Market | Country and, where relevant, regional jurisdiction | “Europe,” “EU stock” or “global” |
| Business role | Manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer or other role | A generic statement that “the supplier handles it” |
| Official record | Source, identifier, exact name match and check date | A screenshot with no URL or date |
| Decision | Reviewed, hold, reject or seek advice, with owner and date | An unexplained yes/no cell |
Start with an exact SKU identity record
Before searching any official list, freeze the identity being searched. Record manufacturer or applicant, brand, model, flavor or other variant, nicotine strength, liquid capacity, device type, supplier SKU, barcode and packaging version. Official records may use a name that differs slightly from catalog language, so retain both the quoted name and the record name.
If a match is uncertain, do not infer it from a similar image or shortened model name. Ask the supplier for the relevant identifier and evidence linking it to the quoted stock. The vape product verification guide explains how to build this identity chain.
United States review column
For U.S. distribution, begin with the FDA’s current authorized e-cigarette information and the FDA Searchable Tobacco Products Database linked there. Record the exact manufacturer and product name returned, the relevant authorization information, the source URL and the date checked.
FDA states that authorized tobacco products are not “FDA approved,” and authorization does not mean a product is safe. The matrix should use accurate language such as “record found and identity matched” rather than an approval badge. Also record the buyer’s federal, state and local retail or distribution checks as separate fields; a federal database result does not resolve every other obligation.
Great Britain review column
For England, Scotland and Wales, start with the MHRA e-cigarette and vape guidance hub and the relevant notified-product list. MHRA guidance says nicotine-containing vaping products must be notified and published before sale. Record the submitted product name, submitter, ECID or other published identifier where available, list used and check date.
Also determine whether the product format is affected by the UK single-use vapes ban, which applies to sale and supply from June 1, 2025. The government guidance describes a reusable vape as rechargeable and refillable, with a removable and replaceable coil where the product contains a coil. Do not assume a charging port alone makes a product reusable.
Keep Northern Ireland as a separate jurisdictional row when applicable because the notification route and applicable framework may differ. Add age-of-sale, packaging, producer/importer, recycling and any new tax or duty checks assigned to the relevant adviser or business owner.
European Union review column
For an EU destination, begin with Directive 2014/40/EU. Article 20 establishes requirements for electronic cigarettes and refill containers, including manufacturer or importer notification to competent authorities. Then identify the current national authority, published-product resource if available, language and packaging rules, taxes, environmental obligations and any additional national restrictions.
Use one row per destination Member State. A notification or commercial history in one country should not be copied into another country’s pass column without a separate review. Likewise, a product held in an EU warehouse has a logistics location; it does not gain EU-wide market eligibility from that location.
Copyable SKU-by-market matrix
| Field | United States | Great Britain | EU destination country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact quoted product name | Enter value | Enter value | Enter value |
| Manufacturer / applicant / submitter | Enter value | Enter value | Enter value |
| SKU, barcode and variant | Enter value | Enter value | Enter value |
| Device and liquid configuration | Enter value | Enter value | Enter value |
| Official source checked | FDA source URL | MHRA/GOV.UK source URL | EU and national source URLs |
| Published identifier and exact-name match | Record / Not found / Unclear | Record / Not found / Unclear | Record / Not found / Unclear |
| Product-format restrictions checked | Owner and result | Owner and result | Owner and result |
| Packaging and labeling checked | Owner and result | Owner and result | Owner and result |
| Importer / producer duties checked | Owner and result | Owner and result | Owner and result |
| Age, tax and environmental checks | Owner and result | Owner and result | Owner and result |
| Date checked and evidence saved | Date / file reference | Date / file reference | Date / file reference |
| Decision | Reviewed / Hold / Reject / Advice | Reviewed / Hold / Reject / Advice | Reviewed / Hold / Reject / Advice |
Use controlled status language
| Status | Use when | Do not interpret as |
|---|---|---|
| Not started | No responsible reviewer or source check is recorded | Low risk |
| Pending evidence | A supplier identifier, official result or packaging item is missing | Provisional approval |
| Record found | An official record was found and its identity was compared | All obligations satisfied |
| Not found | The defined search did not return a match | Proof of illegality without further review |
| Mismatch | The record or evidence refers to a different product, entity or variant | A minor spelling issue unless resolved |
| Seek advice | The rule, role or identity match requires specialist interpretation | Permission to proceed meanwhile |
| Approved internally | The named organization completed its documented review | Approval by a regulator |
Evidence and review controls
For each official check, store the source title, direct URL, search terms, result, check date and reviewer. Save enough information to reproduce the result without presenting an old screenshot as permanently current. Define a recheck trigger such as quotation renewal, packaging change, new batch, regulatory update or a fixed review date.
Keep supplier claims in their own column. A supplier statement may help locate evidence, but it should not overwrite an official-source result. If the supplier and official source conflict, place the row on hold and resolve the difference.
Decision workflow
- Freeze the SKU, variant, destination and buyer role.
- Collect identity, packaging and batch evidence.
- Check the appropriate official sources and national requirements.
- Record exact matches, missing fields and conflicts.
- Assign unresolved legal or technical questions to a qualified adviser.
- Approve, hold or remove the individual row.
- Repeat the review after a material product, market or rule change.
Frequently asked questions
Does an MHRA listing mean a product can be sold anywhere in Europe?
No. An MHRA record relates to the relevant UK notification framework. An EU destination requires its own EU and national review.
Does an FDA authorization mean “FDA approved”?
No. FDA distinguishes marketing authorization from approval and states that authorized tobacco products are not safe.
Can the same matrix row cover all flavors?
Only if the official record and supporting evidence clearly cover them and the identifiers are preserved. Otherwise use separate variant rows.
How often should the matrix be updated?
Recheck close to each purchase and whenever the SKU, packaging, batch, destination, business role or applicable rule changes.
Use this template with the batch traceability guide and wholesale ordering checklist. To request current catalog information, send exact product links, quantities and destination through the Wholesale Inquiry page.