Overview of European Union Tobacco Products Directive (“TPD”)

European Union Tobacco Products Directive

EU Tobacco Products Directive “TPD” for E Cigs

In May 2016 the European Union’s (EU) revised Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) came into effect. The TPD is intended to introduce harmonized standards across the EU, improve the quality of products and reduce the risk of accidents, particularly in relation to children accidently drinking liquids or products leaking.

To achieve this, the TPD includes a number of standards which products must meet, including:

• Child resistant/tamper evident packaging is required for liquids and devices.
• The device must be protected against breakage and leakage and capable of being refilled without leakage.
• Devices must deliver a consistent dose of nicotine under normal conditions
• Tank and cartridge sizes must be no more than 2ml in volume and nicotine strengths of liquids must be no more than 20mg/ml.
• Health warnings, instructions for use, information on addictiveness and toxicity appear on the packaging and accompanying information leaflet.

• There are no promotional elements on packaging.

• All substances contained in the product and information on the product’s nicotine content must be listed.

• Existing rules regarding cross-border advertising and promotion of tobacco products, which will apply to electronic cigarettes, must be followed.

• Manufacturers must inform EU Member States before placing new products on the market and report annually.

• Products containing more than 20 mg/ml of nicotine or which make smoking cessation claims will be prohibited unless they are licensed as medicines.

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