Consumer Product Research
BAT is a global company with innovation at its core. New technologies and rapid market shifts require increasing agility from us to respond to consumer demand. Simultaneously, our Research and Development (R&D) teams continue to ensure we maintain our ethical standards and procedures.
Our overriding objective is to ensure that our scientific studies provide meaningful outcomes, while minimising any risks and burdens placed on study participants.
Our Human Research Committee (HRC) operates by drawing on the individual inputs and collective expertise of different disciplines in science. Through open engagement with project teams – structured by a clear preparatory and submissions process – it provides our scientists and product developers with an inclusive environment in which to ask questions, draw on diversity of experience, and benefit from the knowledge and lateral thinking provided by the Committee’s members.
In parallel to the work that the HRC does, we ensure that all our products meet all legal standards required through rigorous stewardship and testing. We also prioritise fair and safe working conditions for employees and suppliers. We embed sustainable practices throughout our supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials, and the reduction of waste and pollution, to the development and adoption of practices that promote environmental conservation.
Ethical standards and procedures in R&D are critical. The quality of dialogue and the rigour of our evaluation and decision making needs to be supported by an underlying company culture. Those in powerful positions are accessible and open to challenge and a diversity of perspectives is considered.
This is how we will simultaneously strengthen our responsible business practices and talent base, while also innovating in ever more successful, dynamic, and exciting ways, to meet the expectations of stakeholders now and in the future.
"While internal product testing is governed by our Human Research Committee, all of our clinical studies are approved by external ethics committees or independent review boards."
Dr. Hugo Tan
Group Medical Safety Officer
Six key steps in our approach to consumer product testing
01
Participants are current adult smokers and/or nicotine consumers
02
Participants’
suitability for study
03
Robust
study objectives
04
Test products are safe for study use
05
Participants provide informed consent in choosing to join a study
06
Adverse events triaged by Global Medical Safety Officer
How do we approach this?
The 1964 Declaration of Helsinki developed by the World Medical Association is regarded as a cornerstone for guiding human research ethics[20].
Our internal HRC governs our overall standard of conduct for scientific research and development across the business. It provides ethical review, recommendations, and guidance to all project teams across the organisation conducting any form of human research. With these principles at its core:
Study objectives are clear and well-articulated;
Study participants are engaged, and test products are used appropriately, with a disciplined focus on meeting those objectives;
Study design is robust, ensuring that it does not need to be repeated due to inconclusive results;
Participant suitability criteria are appropriate for the study; and
Volunteers are able to make informed decisions about participating, based on information about the study and its objectives, what they are required to do, and any potential risks involved.
References
A full list of references for this page can be found in the section 11. References.
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