What Is TPD Compliance In Vaping?
A clear UK guide to what TPD compliance means, the rules covering vape products and why it matters for both retailers and consumers.
TPD compliance means a vape product meets the UK rules adopted from the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
The TPD set the framework for nicotine strength caps, bottle size limits, packaging requirements and product notification. Even after Brexit, the UK retained the same rules under domestic regulation. Every vape product sold legally in the UK must be TPD compliant.
TPD compliance is the most important phrase in UK vape regulation. The rules that started as European law are now embedded in UK domestic legislation through the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. Both retailers and informed consumers benefit from understanding what compliance actually involves.
The four pillars of TPD compliance
TPD covers four main areas. The grid below explains each in plain English.
Strength limits
Nicotine cannot exceed 20mg per ml in any vape product sold legally in the UK.
⚠ Hard capContainer size
E-liquid bottles maximum 10ml, refillable tanks maximum 2ml capacity.
⚠ Hard capPackaging
Health warnings, child resistant caps, tamper evident seals and full ingredient lists are all required.
⚠ MandatoryNotification
Every product must be notified to the MHRA at least six months before sale.
⚠ MandatoryWhat the notification process actually involves
The table below covers what manufacturers must submit to the MHRA before any product can legally be sold.
| Notification element | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Product description | Detailed product specs including device design and capacity |
| Ingredient list | Every ingredient including flavour compounds with percentages |
| Toxicology data | Safety data on each ingredient at the levels used |
| Manufacturing details | Production facility information and quality control processes |
| Emissions testing | Vapour emissions data from standardised testing protocols |
What happens if a product is not TPD compliant
Non compliant products cannot legally be sold in the UK. Selling them risks Trading Standards action including fines, product seizure and loss of business licence. Buying online from non UK sources is technically a grey area for personal use but anything imported in commercial quantities can be seized at customs and the buyer prosecuted.
MHRA publishes a public list of all notified vape products on their website. Retailers can verify any product against this list before stocking it. Consumers worried about whether a product is genuine can check it the same way. Notified products carry a unique reference number that links to the MHRA database.
How to check a product is TPD compliant
The checklist below covers the practical signs that a vape product complies with UK law.
TPD compliance checklist for buyers
Use four or more of these to confirm you are buying compliant products.
- Bottle size 10ml or less
- Nicotine strength labelled at 20mg per ml or less
- Health warning visible on packaging
- Tamper evident seal intact when received
- Child resistant cap fitted
- Full ingredient list and batch number on the packaging
How TPD intersects with the disposable ban
The disposable vape ban introduced in June 2025 sits alongside TPD rather than replacing it. Refillable devices and standard e-liquids must still meet TPD compliance. Single use disposables are now banned regardless of whether they were previously TPD compliant. Understanding both sets of rules matters for anyone selling or stocking vape products.
TPD sits within the wider UK regulatory picture, which our our guide to UK vape laws explained covers in detail, plus our article on what the MHRA is and why it matters for vapes explains how UK regulation compares with international approaches.
Frequently asked questions
Does TPD still apply in the UK after Brexit?
Yes. The UK retained TPD rules under domestic regulation. The framework remains essentially identical.
What does TPD stand for?
Tobacco Products Directive. Although named for tobacco it covers vape products too.
Are non TPD vapes ever legal in the UK?
No. Any vape sold legally in the UK must be TPD compliant and MHRA notified.
Who enforces TPD in the UK?
MHRA handles product notification. Trading Standards enforces sales rules at retail level.
Can I import non TPD vapes from abroad for personal use?
Personal imports are a grey area. Customs can seize products that fail to meet UK rules.
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