Our Testing
The laboratory reports published on NicoLeaks are of nicotine pouch products which are made available to consumers. All tests are performed by the accredited and independent laboratory Eurofins in Sweden. The tests entail a comprehensive set of parameters, testing for both listed ingredients as well as non-listed ingredients that a nicotine pouches may contain. The list of tested substances have been determined to ensure that certain standards are followed and to provide a better understanding of the content of each product. Below you can find an explanation for how products have been colour marked. Products are tested as they enter the market and the test results continuously made available here on NicoLeaks.
How products are marked after tests and what it means
When a product has been tested the laboratory reports is published together with an indication and colour marking of the nicotine level and pH value. The indication and colour are based on the product standard Haypp Group follow and encourages all suppliers to follow as well.
If a product is marked with green it means the value listed is within the recommended limit for either nicotine per pouch or the pH value.
If a product is marked with yellow it means the value is higher than the recommended level, however it is either within the error margin of the laboratory testing or it is moderately than the recommended level. A moderately higher value on a product results in a probational period to find a way to lower the values to come within the recommended levels.
If a product is marked with red it means the value is higher than recommended levels or that other parameters in the laboratory report has led to the conclusion that the product in not considered as reliable and should not be available for consumers.
Standards and recommended levels
The standards Haypp Group supports and abide by, beyond existing laws and regulations, are meant to attain and foster a sustainable product and market development within the oral nicotine category. The Swedish Institute for Standards – SIS – which is the Swedish standardization body and member of both CEN and ISO, has published a technical specification for nicotine-containing, tobacco-free oral products called SIS/TS 72:2020. Together with the Supplier Code of Conduct of Haypp Group and related Marketing and Product Standard it provides guidelines and recommendations for the industry to follow.
Recommended nicotine level
> The maximum recommended total amount of nicotine per consumable, e.i. per pouch, shall be 20 mg of nicotine.
The value of 20 mg per pouch is a firm limit. If a product has a higher amount of nicotine the product shall in all situations be marked red. A value below the limit shall be marked as green.
Recommended pH value
> The maximum pH value of the consumable shall be 9.1, unless a risk assessment of the final product is made which supports the pH used.
The pH value of 9.1 is the limit to be considered as marked green. A laboratory test showing within a margin of error of 0.2 higher, i.e. up to 9.3 is marked yellow.
If the test result shows a pH value higher than the error margin but below 10.0, the product is marked yellow, however the product supplier is given a probational period to lower the pH value. During this period Haypp Group works actively with the supplier to remedy the products shortcoming. The product will after the probational period be tested again. At no time will we risk that our consumers are exposed to product that have been found to be unreliable.
If the pH value is over 10.0 the product will be marked red and not be sold through the channels of Haypp Group.
Why test products?
Presently there is a lack of regulation for newer types of nicotine products, and foremost the rapidly growing segment of oral nicotine product called nicotine pouches. More traditional oral nicotine products, such as chewing tobacco and the Swedish snus has both national and EU wide regulations in place. However, nicotine-containing, tobacco-free oral products are not covered by such laws and regulations, this is why the products are tested.
There are also various assumptions and preconceived notions which affect the conversation about nicotine pouches. The open compilation of laboratory reports which NicoLeaks publish forms a solid foundation for factual and concrete discussions. This is another reason why the products are tested.
Share the knowledge
Haypp Group wants to be able to increase the transparency as well as knowledge around nicotine pouches. Therefore, all reports are shared openly so that also e.g., authorities and health activists can gain access to the results. Through increased transparency and enhanced collaboration, we believe in a sustainable growth of the category, giving consumers reliable choices.
Laboratory Eurofins in Lidköping
The tests are made by the independent laboratory Eurofins it is part of a group with over 800 laboratories worldwide. The specific Eurofins’ laboratory in the city of Lidköping, Sweden, happens to be an expert center for testing of oral nicotine products.
Apart from nicotine and pH values, the products are tested for a broad range of parameters including both listed ingredients and foreign substances. This includes for example, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, Benzo(a)pyrene, Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni).
By testing products made available to consumers Haypp Group aims to ensure that the nicotine pouches marketed and sold via our channels meet the criteria that consumers expect of nicotine pouch produced by a reliable manufacturer. Also, if products are sold through other retailers, both online and physical, the laboratory reports offer them an opportunity to educate not only themselves but also their customers.
