Comprehensive Guide: TPD Compliance in Vaping
The Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), laid out in Directive 2014/40/EU, sets the rules for how tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and e-liquids, are made, sold, and marketed across the EU. After the UK left the EU, it kept most of these rules under its version, the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) 2016, with just a few small tweaks.
If you vape, here’s what TPD compliance means for you:
- Safety Checks: Every product has to undergo testing to ensure it meets certain quality and safety standards.
- Size Limits: The amount of liquid in a bottle or tank is limited, mainly to help control nicotine use.
- This vape TPD-compliant guide will explore every aspect you need to know, from the regulation of e-liquids to vape kits.
What Does TPD-Compliant Mean?
TPD-compliant means a vape product meets the rules set by the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive. These rules cover things like how strong the nicotine can be (no more than 20mg per ml), how much liquid can be in a single bottle (up to 10ml), and the size of the vape tank (no more than 2ml).
To be approved, products must be child-proof, show clear signs if they’ve been tampered with, and carry health warnings on at least 30% of the packaging. Before anything hits the shelves, manufacturers must also give the EU detailed information about the product, like what’s in it and how it affects health, at least six months in advance.
History: TPD-I vs. TPD-II
| Directive |
Name |
Year |
Scope |
| TPD-I |
Directive 2001/37/EC |
2001 |
Focused on traditional tobacco products |
| TPD-II |
Directive 2014/40/EU |
2014 |
Introduced comprehensive rules for e-cigarettes and e-liquids |
In May 2016, TPD-II came into effect, bringing new rules for vaping products. It introduced emissions testing, set limits on ingredients, established packaging standards, and required companies to notify authorities about their products.
TPD and Vaping
Is vaping legal in the UK? Yes, it is! If all the products are designed and sold according to rules and regulations.
Vaping TPD regulations are implemented in the vaping industry to ensure safety and that retailers and buyers meet regulatory requirements.
TPD Compliance for E-liquids
To be TPD-compliant, e-liquids must adhere to the following criteria:
-
Emissions Testing: Ensures the vapour produced is safe for inhalation.
-
Ingredient Restrictions: Prohibits harmful substances like diacetyl, colourings, taurine, and caffeine.
-
Packaging Requirements:
- Maximum bottle volume of 10ml.
- Nozzle at least 1cm long with a flow rate not exceeding 20 drops per minute.
20 drops / 1 min = 20 drops / 60 sec = 1 drop / 3 sec- Inclusion of a warning leaflet, either inside the packaging or on the label.
- The label must state: "This product contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance."
-
Registration: Products must be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and possess an ECID (European Community Identification Number).
Note: It is legal to buy a larger bottle of e-liquids referred to as shortfills. Shortfills are larger bottles containing nic-free e-juice, with 20% space to add nic shots. TPD only applies to products that come with nicotine.
For Devices, Pods, and Tanks:
TPD compliance for hardware includes:
- Capacity Limits: Maximum of 2ml for tanks and pods.
- Nicotine Strength: Nicotine content must not exceed 20mg/ml (2%).
- Emissions Testing: Particularly for coils to ensure safety.
- Registration: Devices must be registered with the MHRA and have an ECID.
-
Warning Labels:
- Primary warning: The device is intended for use with nicotine.
- Secondary warning: Explaining the nicotine application upon use.
Volume and Nicotine Limits Overview
| Component |
Limit |
| E-liquid bottle size |
10ml maximum for nicotine-containing liquids |
| Tank/pod capacity |
2ml maximum |
| Nicotine strength |
20mg/ml (2%) maximum |
TPD-Compliant Disposable Vapes
- Each puff bar should have a pod that houses 2ml of e-juice.
-
Most people ask, "Are 5% vapes legal in the UK?" The answer is straightforward: No! Nic strength in any vape, whether disposable or a reusable kit, shouldn’t exceed 20mg/ml (2%).
- 30% of the packaging should contain health warnings and symbols.
- Flashy designs and colourful flavour names that promote underage vaping are not allowed.
- You can’t sell these products by saying “healthier than smoking”.
- Every product must be reported and tested to the MHRA before selling.
- Disposables aren’t supposed to be refillable. So, no need to refill.
Note:The UK government plans to ban single-use vapes by 2025. They’re worried about kids getting hooked and the waste these devices create. The ban focuses on the colourful, sweet-flavoured vapes popular with teens. The goal is to stop underage vaping and cut down on the millions of thrown-away devices.
However, disposable vapes with replaceable pods and rechargeable batteries won’t be affected. For example, the Hayati Pro Max Plus, which has a 2ml prefilled pod and a 10ml refill container you can swap out, will still be allowed
Batteries & Mods:
TPD rules don’t apply to vape batteries. Regarding mods, TPD regulations are not applicable unless they come without a pod or tank.
Ingredient Restrictions
When it comes to what's allowed in e-liquids, certain ingredients are banned to keep things safe:
- Diacetyl is off-limits because it can cause breathing problems.
- Caffeine and taurine aren’t allowed since they’re stimulants and not meant to be inhaled.
- Colourants are not needed and could be harmful.
- Anything that claims health benefits is not permitted.
- All ingredients must be listed when the product is registered with the MHRA.
Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is essential to ensure the safety of vaping products. It means mimicking how people vape and checking the vapour for heavy metals, carbonyls, and other harmful chemicals. The test results must show that the product won’t harm anyone using it.
Packaging and Labelling
Packaging and labelling requirements under TPD include:
- Health Warnings: Must cover 30% of the front and back of the packaging.
-
Information Disclosure:
- Nicotine content.
- List of ingredients.
- Batch number and expiry date.
- Manufacturer or importer contact details.
- Usage and storage instructions.
- Safety Features: Packaging must be child-resistant and tamper-evident.
Notification Requirements (EU-CEG / MHRA)
Before a vaping product can be sold, it must be notified to the appropriate authority:
- Submission Timeline: At least six months before the sale.
-
Required Information:
- Ingredient list.
- Toxicology reports.
- Manufacturing details.
- Product presentation.
- Emissions testing data.
- In the UK, submissions are made through the MHRA portal.
Advertising & Promotion
TPD regulations strictly control the advertising and promotion of vaping products:
Prohibited Platforms
| Prohibited Platforms |
Permitted Platforms |
| TV, radio, online ads |
In-store promotional materials |
| Printed publications, except trade press |
Brand-owned websites (limited to product listings without promotional content) |
| Sponsorships or events with cross-border exposure |
|
Cross-Border and Online Sales
Retailers engaging in cross-border and online sales must register with the authorities in each EU country to which they ship. Retailers must also comply with age restrictions. Every individual who is buying vaping-related products must be at least 18 years old.
Compliance Verification (UK)
To verify if a product is TPD-compliant in the UK:
- Visit the MHRA website.
- Search by brand, ECID, or product type to confirm compliance.
- A verified product appears in the compliance sheet.
Post-Brexit & Future Developments
Since Brexit, the UK has maintained the TPD rules through the TRPR (2016).
Looking ahead, there might be some changes like:
-
A new Tobacco and Vapes Bill that could bring stricter rules, mainly aimed at stopping underage use and introducing plain packaging.
-
Changes could affect how shortfill products are regulated or whether they remain legal.
Final Tips for Vapers & Retailers
If you want to stay safe and avoid trouble, always buy vaping products from trusted vendors. Make sure the products have clear warning labels and an ECID number, which means they’re registered with the MHRA and follow safety rules.
Watch out for tanks or pods bigger than 2 millilitres; those don’t meet legal standards. Also, avoid products that don’t give clear safety information or make wild claims, like disposable vapes that say they last over 600 puffs; they’re usually not legit or safe.
Following these easy tips will help you stick with vaping products that are safe and legal.
GreetVape has stocked all our products following TPD regulations. If you’re new to vaping or have questions about TPD, send us an email or chat with our customer support team.
Happy vaping!
