E-Cigarette and E-Liquid Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on 7 Comments

E-cigarettes imported and sold in the European Union must conform to various standards and regulations. Keep reading, and learn what you must know about E-liquid requirements, RoHS, CE marking, documentation, lithium battery standards, and more.

Mentioned Products

  • Disposable e-cigarettes
  • Reusable e-cigarettes
  • Rechargeable e-cigarettes
  • E-liquids
  • Vaporizers
  • E-pipes


FREE CONSULTATION CALL (US, EU & UK)

  • Request a free 30-minute call with Ivan Malloci to learn how we can help you with:
  • Find product requirements
  • Certification and labeling
  • Lab testing

REQUEST A CALL

Tobacco Products Directive

The Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) set requirements on tobacco-related products including e-cigarettes and refill liquids, aiming at protecting children, setting limits on the levels of nicotine, and ensuring the quality and safety of tobacco products.

Product scope

Disposable, refillable, or rechargeable E-cigarette devices, and E-liquid that contain nicotine are covered by the Tobacco Products Directive.

Note that medical E-cigarettes are excluded from the TPD, as they are regulated by the Medical Device Directive.

E-liquid tank requirements

The E-liquid tank is one of the main components of E-cigarette devices. E-liquid tanks shall be registered with the relevant authorities in the different member states, and obtain the European Community Identification Number (ECID).

For instance, E-liquid tanks to be sold in the UK shall be registered at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Characteristics

Under the TPD requirements, the size of the E-liquid tanks shall be at a maximum of 2ml.

Testing requirements

We suggest that you shall also perform third-party lab testing for the E-liquid tanks to ensure that during the vaporization, the tanks don’t release harmful substances and cause health issues.

Labeling requirements

The TPD requires that the E-cigarette devices shall carry a general warning, information message, health warning, and children’s resistance warning.

E-liquid requirements

E-liquids are the most regulated products under the TPD. The TPD has strict requirements on the nicotine concentration, warning labels, coloring additives, and even the bottle nozzles.

Characteristics

The E-liquid bottle is limited to 10ml per bottle, and the maximum nicotine concentration shall not be above 20mg/ml. The E-liquid must be tested thoroughly by accredited laboratories, including the emission tests.

The E-liquid must not contain carcinogenic substances or other coloring additives in unburnt form. Even if substances such as vitamins are added to the E-liquid, it cannot be claimed that the product has a health benefit.

Lastly, the E-liquid bottle shall include at least a 9mm long bottle nozzle with child-proof caps to restrict liquid flow.

Testing requirements

Importers and manufacturers shall provide toxicology data, which implies that the E-liquid must be tested by third-party laboratories. The tests include ingredient purity test, cannabidiol content test, child resistance test, and other relevant tests based on your product type.

Labeling requirements

E-liquid tanks and packaging shall carry a general warning, information message, health warning, and the children’s resistance warning.

Risks

Notice that some e-liquids produced outside the EU may contain harmful and restricted substances. Do not assume that all suppliers exporting e-liquids to the EU are selling compliant products.

Notification requirements

Both manufacturers and importers must go through the product notification process for their e-cigarette products. They shall submit the product data to authorities in the relevant EU member states by using the online platform EU Common Entry Gate (EU-CEG).

Here is an overview of the required information:

  • Product ingredient list
  • Emissions
  • Nicotine dose
  • Toxicological data
  • Manufacturing process description
  • Compliance declaration

You can visit the official website to learn more about the notification requirements.

E-cigarettes Regulations in the EU

RoHS Directive

Under the RoHS Directive, E-cigarettes are classified under Category 11. Importers shall comply with the substances restriction in the electronic components set by the directive, including the following:

  • Lead (Pb)
  • Mercury (Hg)
  • Cadmium ( Cd)
  • Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI)
  • Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

RoHS Components

As mentioned above, the substance restriction applies to every single component of the E-cigarette devices, therefore, importers shall instruct the manufactures to use RoHS compliant components.

RoHS Lab Testing

It is important to obtain a RoHS lab test report to show compliance when importing E-cigarette products to the EU. If your supplier cannot provide a valid RoHS test report, you shall consider booking a third-party lab testing via leading testing companies such as the following:

  • TUV
  • SGS
  • Intertek

RoHS Symbol

The RoHS mark or symbol is not required under the directive. The symbol does not necessarily mean that the product is compliant with RoHS as it has no legal meaning by itself. Still, many suppliers choose to attach a RoHS symbol to help customers to identify RoHS compliant products.

EMC Directive

The EMC Directive aims at regulating the electromagnetic compatibility of electronic devices. E-cigarette products are also covered under the EMC directive, to ensure that the e-cigarette does not cause interference with other electronics products when they are placed nearby.

EMC Test Reports

The EMC test report provides scientific data to prove that the product met certain requirements under the directive. Only a handful of suppliers are able to provide the EMC test report, as such, importers shall book a third-party EMC lab testing before importing to the EU.

EMC Directive Testing Costs

The EMC testing cost can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the complexity of the device and the countries to be covered.

External Charger: Low Voltage Directive (LVD)

The LVD applies to electronics products with input or output between 50 to 1000 volts AC, and 75 to 1500 volts DC. E-cigarettes are often connected to power supplies with input voltage ranging from 110 to 240V. Therefore, such power supplies must be compliant with the LVD.

LVD Test Reports

LVD compliance is mostly based on the test reports issued by reputable testing companies such as TUV, SGS, or Intertek. You shall either request an LVD test reports from the suppliers or book a third-party lab testing for your products.

LVD Testing Costs

LVD testing costs around a few hundred to several thousands of dollars, depending on the product complexity. We suggest that you get a quotation from the testing company for your specific products.

General Product Safety Directive (GPSD)

The GPSD is applicable to all products sold in the EU, ensuring that the product is safe to use even if there are no specific standards. As such, GPSD is also applicable for E-cigarette products.

In this case, the directive is especially important to cover the safety of lithium batteries, which can explode when compressed or heated.

The GPSD is based on self-assessment, which means that you should summarize all the risks and product safety information into a document to show compliance. That includes the risk assessment of users’ potential behaviors when using the product.

GPSD Testing Standards

Testings for GPSD are often not mandatory but it’s in the importer’s interest to assess general product safety, including compliance with relevant EN standards, such as as EN 62133 and EN 60086-4 standards, which are specific for lithium batteries.

Battery Directive

The Battery Directive is applicable to batteries used in E-cigarette. Heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium are restricted under the directive, and importers must ensure that the battery will not cause safety issues to the users.

Compliant Batteries

We recommend that you should only use batteries from well-known manufacturers or brands such as Samsung or TDK. Those companies are usually compliant with different directives and standards to assure battery safety.

Additional Resources

1. Batteries & Accumulators (Link)

CE Marking

CE Mark

E-cigarettes are covered by one or more CE directives such as RoHS and the EMC Directive. Further, chargers may be covered by the Low Voltage Directive. As such, the CE mark shall be permanently affixed to the product, packaging, and also the user manual.

CE label file

Do not expect that the supplier will provide the CE label file for your product. Instead, you shall provide a digital CE label file preferably in ai. or .eps format.

You must also specify the following to the supplier before the mass production:

  • Dimensions
  • Position
  • Color
  • Print type

Product Traceability

A product traceability label is also required under most of CE directives. The permanent traceability code shall be affixed to the product and its packaging. The traceability code shall include:

  • SKU
  • Manufacturing date
  • Production facility
  • Country code

Example: SKU-YYMM-01-CN

CE Documentation

The CE mark is only one of the CE requirements. In order to be compliant, you shall also provide different documents such as the Declaration of Conformity, User Manual, and Technical File.

Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

The DoC can be either issued by the importers or the manufacturers, which must include information such as:

  • Produce identification/SKU (e.g. E-cigarette Model S)
  • Product features / functionality
  • Contact of the manufacturer/importer
  • List of applicable EN standards or directives
  • Manufacturing location
  • Responsible individual

The DoC is often required by government authorities or even the retailers. Therefore, it should be well-prepared before the importation.

User Manual

The user manual is also required under the CE directives, which must include information such as:

1. Instructions on how to initialize the product

2. An overview of the relevant parts and part names of the product

3. Safety instructions

4. Instructions on how to use the product

5. Instructions on how to recharge and/or refill the product

6. Instructions on how to dispose of the product in an environmentally friendly manner

Notice that you shall include all compliance marks such as the CE mark or WEEE Symbol in the user manual as well.

Technical File

The technical file is somewhat similar to your product specification and shall include information such as:

  • Bill of materials
  • Design drawings
  • Label files
  • Packaging files
  • List of applied standards and directives (e.g. RoHS, LVD)
  • Test reports
  • QC reports
  • Risk assessment

You can learn more abut technical files in this guide.

Test Report

According to the standards or directives stated on the DoC, you must also provide the test reports to show compliance. In addition, the test report must be relevant to your E-cigarette product to be compliant.

WEEE Symbol

WEEE Mark

The WEEE symbol indicates that the product needs a separate collection for WEEE. The symbol shall be permanently, visibly, legibly, and indelibly printed on the product and its packaging.

WEEE label file

Similar to the CE mark, you shall provide a digital WEEE label file preferably in .ai or .eps format to your supplier. Also, the WEEE label shall also be included in the user manual and the packaging.

Member States Regulations

Notice that each EU member state might have additional regulations for E-cigarettes products and E-liquids, on top of the Tobacco Products Directive. For example, the UK requires a child-proof and tamper-proof packaging of the E-liquid and set specific requirements on the purity of ingredients.

Therefore, we suggest that you contact the national authorities in your country before you import e-cigarettes and e-liquids to the EU.

Other Regulations

REACH

REACH regulations set limits to chemicals, heavy metals, and pollutants in all consumer products including E-cigarettes. Here are a few examples of the regulated substances:

  • Lead
  • Cadmium
  • Mercury
  • Chloroethene
  • Nickel

We suggest that you conduct a REACH lab testing for your E-cigarette to ensure that your product does not contain over-limited substances. Many testing companies such as QIMA, TUV, and SGS can provide REACH testing.

UN 38.3

If your E-cigarette contains lithium-ion batteries, then it is also required to be UN 38.3 compliant prior to shipping. UN 38.3 indicates that your lithium batteries shall meet relevant standards such as:

  • UN 3090: Lithium metal batteries
  • UN 3480: Lithium-ion batteries
  • UN 3091: Lithium metal batteries contained, or packed with equipment
  • UN 3481: Lithium-ion batteries contained, or packed with equipment

You must obtain the UN 38.3 test report to show compliance, otherwise, your freight forwarder might not accept to ship any lithium batteries products overseas.

  • (USA & EU)

    FREE CONSULTATION CALL (US, EU & UK)

    • Request a free 30-minute call with Ivan Malloci to learn how we can help you with:
    • Find product requirements
    • Certification and labeling
    • Lab testing

    REQUEST A CALL



    Disclaimer: The Site cannot and does not contain legal advice. The legal information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of legal advice. THE USE OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

    Full Disclaimer: Link

    Sources: Our articles are written in part based on publicly available information, and our own practical experience relating to product compliance. These are some of the primary sources we use:

    • ec.europa.eu
    • echa.europa.eu
    • ecfr.gov
    • cpsc.gov
    • ftc.gov
    • fcc.gov
  • 7 Responses to “E-Cigarette and E-Liquid Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

    1. Bambang at 9:36 am

      We are new manufacturer of vaping device, now we need to know the standard of product/finish good device quality testing, before release product to market. Such as the quality items need to be checked i.e. nicotine e-liquid content, gas leakage detection, inhaling resistant check so on.
      Please support for it since have plan to sold out our product to EU and USA market.

    2. martin at 9:43 pm

      no mention of nicotine free products….what is the legislation on moving product from, say, uk to portugal…what import restrictions exist in this notoriously nanny country?

    3. Ed at 7:09 pm

      Hi, do you able to arrange full legalization and commercialization in one of EU country?

    4. vapekituk at 12:58 pm

      Thank you for your article. It will definitely help me a lot…

    5. filippos Felous at 11:25 pm

      I want to ask the following questions:
      Do disposable vapes need CE marking ?
      What are the import duties for disposable vapes in Europe?
      (small package,500 puffs>,and 2ml tank>
      Thank you

    6. Chris Huang at 5:29 pm

      As a professional I worked in consumer products more than 16 years, I recommend COMPLIANCEGATE to peopel who need it. This is very professional website.
      It gives very detailed compliance rules for junior individual or corporate.
      Even for a simple CE marking, most of people don’t understand it deeply.

      1. Fredrik Gronkvist at 12:09 pm

        Thank you very much for the kind words Chris!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Free Training Session

    Product Compliance in 2024

    1. United States, EU, and UK

    2. Product examples & case studies

    3. Ask your questions via Live Chat!