While shopping for vapes and vape supplies, you’ve likely seen “TPD compliant” on packaging. But what does this actually mean? This guide breaks down the TPD regulations UK vapers need to know, explaining the rules without the confusing jargon.

What Are the TPD & TRPR Regulations in the UK?

The TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) started as an EU law that created rules for tobacco and vaping products. Since Brexit, the UK now follows the TRPR (Tobacco and Related Products Regulations), which keeps the same key rules in place. These regulations ensure product safety, protect children from accessing vape products, and help you make informed choices about what you’re buying.

What Makes an E-Liquid TPD Compliant? The 3 Core Rules

TPD compliant e-liquid must follow these specific requirements:

Maximum Bottle Size

E-liquids containing nicotine at the point of sale can only be sold in bottles of 10ml or less. This rule doesn’t apply to nicotine-free e-liquids, which is why you can buy 50ml and 100ml shortfills and longfills.

Maximum Nicotine Strength

The highest UK-permitted nicotine concentration is 20mg/ml (or 2%). This applies to all nicotine-containing e-liquids, including salts, nicotine shots and freebase formulas.

Mandatory Warnings & Information

Bottles must have child-resistant caps, be tamper-evident, and include specific health warnings and ingredient lists. The label must show nicotine content clearly and include the statement “This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.”

Key Rules for a TPD Compliant Vape Device

Vape hardware must meet these standards to be TPD compliant:

Maximum Tank/Pod Capacity

The maximum e-liquid capacity for any vape tank, pod, or disposable vape is 2ml. This includes refillable tanks, replacement pods, and pre-filled disposable devices. This also prevents many UK retailers from stocking ‘bubble glass’ replacements for increasing tank sizes.

Notification Requirement

Manufacturers must submit detailed information about new products to the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) six months before they can be sold. This includes full ingredient lists and emissions data.

Emission Testing

Products must undergo emissions testing to ensure they don’t produce harmful chemicals when used. This testing checks for substances like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the vapour.

How TPD Affects You: Shortfills and Nic Shots Explained

The 10ml bottle limit might seem restrictive, but the vaping industry found a clever solution.

Enter shortfills – large bottles of nicotine-free e-liquid that come partially filled. A typical shortfill contains 50ml of e-liquid in a 60ml bottle, leaving space for you to add the nicotine after you’ve purchased the bottle.

Because shortfills contain no nicotine, they’re not restricted by TPD bottle size rules. You can buy them in sizes up to 200ml or more.

To add nicotine, you purchase separate 10ml nicotine shots (which are TPD-compliant) and mix them into the shortfill. This creates a large batch of nicotine-enriched e-liquid while staying within the law.

For example, adding one 18mg nicotine shot to a 50ml shortfill creates 60ml of 3mg e-liquid – a perfect strength for sub-ohm vaping.

You can use our nic shot calculator below:

TPD Compliance for UK Manufacturers and Retailers

Businesses selling vape products must follow additional requirements:

• Product Submission: All vape products must be submitted and registered with the MHRA six months before being placed on the market. This includes detailed technical files and testing results.

• Packaging Compliance: Retailers and manufacturers are responsible for ensuring all packaging meets the strict TPD/TRPR warning and information requirements. Non-compliant products can be removed from sale.

• Advertising Restrictions: There are strict rules limiting how and where vape products can be advertised. Cross-border advertising is banned, and promotions must not appeal to non-smokers or people under 18.

Vaping Safely Under TPD Regulations

TPD/TRPR regulations exist to ensure consistent safety standards across all vaping products sold in the UK. When you see “TPD compliant” on a product, you know it meets these legal requirements and has been tested for safety in numerous ways before ever reaching a store shelf or e-commerce stock.

Understanding these simple rules – 10ml bottles for nicotine e-liquids, 20mg maximum strength, and 2ml tank capacity – helps you make informed choices about your vaping products. Whether you’re buying your first vape or you’re an experienced vaper, choosing TPD-compliant products ensures you’re getting tested, regulated items that meet UK safety standards.

As a final note, vape kits and juices that exceed TPD/TRPR restrictions are not illegal to own or use as a UK resident, but cannot be stocked or sold by UK retailers. If you currently have a bubble-glass tank, you don’t need to get rid of it. But replacing it might be tricky.