Tobacco Products Directive 2014/14/EU (TPD)

The Tobacco Products Directive 2014/14/EU (TPD) introduced new rules for nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes and refill containers (Article 20) from May 2016. MHRA is the competent authority for the notification scheme for e-cigarettes and refill containers in the UK and is responsible for implementing the majority of provisions under Article 20.

The TPD introduced new rules which ensure:

• minimum standards for the safety and quality of all e-cigarettes and refill containers (otherwise known as e-liquids)

• that information is provided to consumers so that they can make informed choices

• an environment that protects children from starting to use these products.

The new requirements:

• restrict e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2ml

• restrict the maximum volume of e-liquid for sale in one refill container to 10ml

• restrict e-liquids to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml

• require nicotine-containing products or their packaging to be child-resistant and tamper evident

• ban certain ingredients including colourings, caffeine and taurine

• include new labelling requirements and warnings

• require all e-cigarettes and e-liquids be notified to MHRA before they can be sold