UK Interpretation of Labelling Requirements for E-Liquids in Great Britain

1. Publication Details

Published 16 August 2024. Applies to England, Scotland, and Wales. This guidance provides the UK government's interpretation of labelling requirements for e-liquids under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) in Great Britain. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain For Northern Ireland, separate guidance applies. https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-northern-ireland This publication is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 Related guidance on e-cigarettes regulations. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-cigarettes-regulations-for-consumer-products Advice on Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) of chemical substances. http://www.hse.gov.uk

2. Introduction

This chapter clarifies the labelling provisions of the TRPR as applied to bottles of e-liquid, particularly addressing the limited space on packs and interpretations of the Directive. Users should read the accompanying notes for full context. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain

3. Definitions

• Unit Packet: The smallest individual packaging in which the product is, or is intended to be, presented for retail sale (regardless of whether inside a container pack), excluding any transparent wrapper. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain
• Container Pack: Any packaging in which the product is, or is intended to be, presented for retail sale and which contains (fully or partially) a unit packet or aggregation of unit packets. Each separate layer of such packaging is a separate container pack; a transparent wrapper alone is not a container pack. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain
• Principle: Required information must reach the consumer before purchase. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain

4. Labelling Requirements

4.1 General Requirements

Health warning must adhere to the format and positioning specified in Regulation 37 of the TRPR. This guidance applies solely to TRPR labelling and excludes other requirements like CLP. It applies equally to nicotine-containing cartridges. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain

4.2 Unit Packets

Labelling requirements must be applied to the unit packet (e.g., bottle via label, pull-out label, or other means if no further packaging beyond an attached information leaflet). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain

4.3 Outer Packaging (Container Packs)

For a bottle with an information leaflet in a cardboard box/sleeve: The cardboard box/sleeve is the smallest individual packaging; TRPR labelling must be applied to it (bottle does not require it, though producers may include product identification and safety info). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain For a multipack of 2 or more bottles or in a presentation box/starter kit:

• If individual bottles are in a cardboard box/sleeve: TRPR labelling on each cardboard box/sleeve and subsequent layers.
• If bottles are aggregated without individual packaging: The multipack or presentation box is the unit pack; TRPR labelling only on it (producers may include info on bottles for identification and safety). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain

5. Additional Notes

The scenarios explored ensure application to guarantee consumer information access. Further details on e-cigarettes regulations are available via linked GOV.UK guidance. CLP-related labelling advice from the Health and Safety Executive. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-labelling-guidance-great-britain/chapter-8-uk-government-interpretation-of-the-requirements-for-labelling-e-liquids-for-great-britain