The Tobacco & Related Products Regulations (TRPR) came into force in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2017. The UK version of the Tobacco Product Directive (TPD), updated two years ago by the European Commission, is the TRPR.
These restrictions have been revised to encompass vaping goods, but they are a catch for the tobacco business. Since late May, the regulations apply to any vapor products that include (or might contain) nicotine. Because of these rules, several incremental modifications in the market for vapor have been noted in the past year, including 2 ml of tank dimensions and 10 ml of e-liquid bottles.
The rules were really implemented on May 20, 2016, but the old 'non-compliant' goods could be sold through a cross-over period, but that ends on May 19, 2017. All vaping products must comply with TRPR in order to be purchased and sold in the EU after this date.
The official UK government TRPR paper details all of the requirements, but the simplified version states that:
To put it simply, in order for vaping products to be sold in the UK after May 20th, they must be ‘notified,' which means that producers must submit specific details about their products, including as packaging, ingredients, toxicity studies, and emissions tests.
In the United Kingdom, the organization in charge of this notification system is known as the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), and their main purpose is to ensure that e-Liquid products do not contain any harmful attributes, ensuring that the user receives a quality product that is safe to vape.
For a variety of reasons, the restrictions are highly contentious within the sector. Although testing and packaging are reasonable, many people believe that other portions of the regulations are utterly unneeded.
For starters, advertising will be severely limited, making it far more difficult for people to acquire information that may be valuable to them and their families. It seems weird that the government would prohibit something that may possibly assist so many people, as well as the NHS, which is severely underfunded.
Because of the cost of thorough testing and so on, having even a single product ‘notified' isn't cheap, and as a result, a large number of current e-Liquid makers have had to reassess their product range, and many have narrowed it significantly.
While this does narrow the market, it also eliminates any possible "Cowboy" juice manufacturers who were not mixing their e-liquids in a sterile or sanitary atmosphere. As a result, the consumer should have even more faith in the products on the market.
While some of the regulations are a move in the right direction, other sections of the TRPR will affect a large number of vapers. The introduction of a 2ml maximum tank capacity has irritated many people, as tanks have previously ranged from tiny capacities like 2ml all the way up to 10ml and beyond (within reason).
With better manufacturing restrictions, the quality of products available in the market can be trusted even more, and smokers considering making the switch will have the assurance that the e-Liquids will use are as safe as possible.
There were important concerns that the TPD would lead to a reduction in the number of flavors available. This might have actually left a foul taste in vapers' mouths! It was expected that the high cost of obtaining e liquids certified would force producers to limit their product lines. There was always the risk that smaller producers might find the new requirements too onerous and go out of business.
When the TPD went into effect, there were early indications that e-liquid ranges might be reduced. However, vapor’s worst dreams were never realized. Most e-liquid manufacturers have thrived in recent years. Even better, new ranges and tastes have been launched on a regular basis.
Vapers were dissatisfied with having to buy their e liquids in little 10ml bottles. However, manufacturers immediately solved this issue by adding shortfills. Because the new rules only applied to nicotine-containing vape juice, the solution was to sell nicotine-free e liquids in bottles that allowed Vapers to add the nicotine themselves.
There's no doubt that the size restriction on vape tanks and pods has been a huge inconvenience. Manufacturers were forced to alter their hardware, and Vapers found themselves topping up more frequently. However, expansion glass for several vape tanks is now available, boosting their capacity to as much as 7ml.
While the TPD raised concerns of a vaping apocalypse, the end of the world as we know it did not occur. The new regulations did cause a few small annoyances. However, there have been some significant advantages for Vapers that should not be underestimated.
Manufacturers have updated the designs of their hardware to meet the requirement for leak-free refilling. The requirement for child-proof packaging has clearly reduced the likelihood of children inadvertently consuming e liquids, which can only be a good thing.
The testing of e liquids and the reporting of their ingredients has probably been the most beneficial to vapers in the Europe. The TPD's safeguards have kept European vapers safe from a condition known as E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use Associated Lung Injury. This has made headlines in the United States, where numerous vapers have died as a result of inhaling toxic liquids.
So, whether we like it or not, things have changed for the better in the vaping industry. Some of these guidelines are a great step toward correct regulation, while others appear to be based on faulty logic and reasoning. The vaping sector is generally supportive of the laws since we all want to guarantee that the goods on the market are as safe and effective as possible, but we will continue to collaborate with the right agencies to improve in areas where the regulations are ineffective. Please contact our team if you would like additional information on TRPR / TPD or if you have any questions.
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