How Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) Regulations Impact Vaping In The UK

What is the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD)?
The European Union Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) set out the rules and regulatory controls for the sale and manufacture of e-liquids, vape kits, vape tanks, vape pods and disposable vapes in the EU, as well as setting out requirements on tobacco products. The TPD laws came into force in May 2016, revising the 2001 Directive.

The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) is the authority responsible for overseeing the UK’s notification scheme for nicotine-containing vaping products, including e-cigarettes and refill containers, across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

What is the purpose of the TPD?
Minimum standards for the safety and quality of all e-cigarettes and e-liquids.
Clear and accurate information is provided to consumers, enabling informed decision-making.
Safeguards to prevent children from starting to use vaping products.

What are the key requirements of the TPD?
Limiting e-cigarette tanks and pods to a maximum capacity of 2ml.
Restricting nicotine-containing e-liquids for sale to 10ml per refill container.
Capping nicotine strength in e-liquids to a maximum concentration of 20mg/ml.
Ensuring nicotine-containing products and packaging are child-resistant and tamper-evident.
Banning ingredients such as colourings, caffeine, and taurine.
Introducing new labelling and warning requirements for packaging.
Requiring all e-cigarettes and e-liquids to be notified and published by the MHRA before they can be legally sold.

Why are vape products without tobacco regulated under the TPD?
Vapes are regulated under TPD ruling due to the fact they in most cases contain nicotine and are designed to deliver nicotine, which is derived from tobacco leaves.

What are the benefits of TPD regulations for vapers in the UK?
Vapers in the UK can benefit from many of the TPD restrictions:

Regulating the UK vape industry to ensure only high-quality and high-purity ingredients are used in the manufacture of e-liquids and vaping devices. E-liquid must not contain colourings, caffeine, taurine as these additives or stimulants are associated with energy or vitality. E-Liquid must not contain vitamins or other additives, or give the impression they provide health benefits or reduced health risks.

Knowing that vape products in the UK are regulated, tested and comply with UK and EU laws gives vapers more confidence when it comes to safety and reliability of their e-cigarettes and e-liquids.

Correct information is provided to consumers so they can make informed choices about what they are consuming, and if vaping is right for them. “This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance” must cover 30% of the front and back of the packaging.

Instructions for storage, this product is not recommended for non-smokers, 18+ only, possible adverse effects, addictiveness and toxicity, manufacturers contact details, ingredients list in order of weight, nicotine content, nicotine dose per puff, batch number, keep product out of the reach of children and pets.

Emissions testing must be conducted on all e-liquids, vape kits and disposable vapes before they go on sale to ensure they don’t contain any harmful ingredients like diacetyl which is now banned in UK. This covers e-liquid ingredients, toxicology data and nicotine dose to minimise health risks associated with vaping.

Warning information to present the possible dangers, addictiveness of nicotine and adverse effects associated with vaping.

Keep vapes out of the hands of children and prevent those under 18 years of age from being able to purchase and use vaping devices.

Safe nicotine levels to ensure 20mg/ml is the highest legal nicotine level, as anything above this could potentially lead to nicotine overexposure.

Child safety to ensure children are protected from all vape products. All vape products and nicotine-containing products must not be sold to anyone under age of 18 in the UK.

Child-proof and tamper evident packaging ensures youngsters are protected from gaining access to the contents of bottles of e-liquid. Leak-resistant tanks and pods are also used as a safety measure to stop children from becoming exposed to e-liquid leaks or spills.

If children do manage to open a bottle of e-liquid, bottles are now capped at 10ml in volume and 20mg concentration which limits exposure to larger quantities of high-strength nicotine-containing liquids which would be more harmful if ingested by children, significantly reducing the risks of nicotine poisoning.

High quality vaping products including e-liquids, coils, pods, tanks and vape kits. UK vapers are now less likely to purchase poor-quality and substandard or unsafe products for an overall more enjoyable vaping experience.

Less counterfeit and unregulated products thanks to the MHRA’s notification system. Only registered and approved products are legally allowed to be sold in the UK, providing greater peace of mind to vapers.

Vaping technology advancements UK including leak-free pod designs, innovative coil designs as found in Vaporesso Corex 2.0 Pods and QUAQ mesh coils in Elf Bar and Lost Mary big puff vapes for longer-lasting satisfaction with less e-liquid consumption. Nicotine salts e-liquids have become more popular for a stronger dose of smooth vapour. Shortfill e-liquids and nicotine shots have gained popularity for UK vapers looking to mix in their own nicotine for a tailored vaping experience.

Traceability of all vape products so they can be easily identified with unique product ECID (European Community Identification Number) code and batch number on the packaging. This ensures that if there are any product recalls they can be easily tracked and traced back to the source.

How do I check if my product is TPD compliant?
Always purchase your vape products from trusted and reputable stores in the UK to ensure you are purchasing official and genuine vaping devices and e-liquids.

Alternatively you can verify your product on the MHRA website to check TPD compliance for vape products. https://cms.mhra.gov.uk/ecig-new

Conclusion:
The Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) plays a crucial role in shaping the vaping landscape in the UK, ensuring that all vape products meet strict safety and quality standards. These regulations provide UK vapers with peace of mind, knowing that the e-liquids, vape kits, and disposable vapes they purchase are thoroughly tested, free from harmful ingredients, and packaged with clear warnings to ensure safety, especially for children. The cap on nicotine strength, the restriction on tank size, and the emphasis on child-resistant packaging all work together to create a safer vaping experience.

By understanding and complying with TPD regulations, both consumers and manufacturers can enjoy a more regulated, transparent, and safe vaping environment. Whether you're new to vaping or an experienced user, choosing TPD-compliant products from reputable UK stores ensures that you're following the law and prioritising your health and safety. Always check for TPD compliance and make informed choices to enjoy a satisfying and secure vaping experience.