The great majority of requirements faced by food supplement companies in EU Member States originate at EU level through proposals from the European Commission that are then adopted in negotiations with the European Parliament and national governments. The following are just some of the areas legislated at EU level that have a direct impact on the day to day operations of food supplement companies:

  • Labelling (font size, placement of information on packs and food supplement containers)
  • Health Claims (what claims can and cannot be made on labelling)
  • Contaminants (setting acceptable levels for specific contaminants in food supplements)
  • Mutual Recognition (If a products is in line with the regulatory requirements in one Member States can it be automatically sold in another?)

The EU regulatory requirements that impact on the food supplement industry are constantly evolving and ensuring compliance is an ongoing process for industry. EHPM offers value for its members by:

  1. Influencing EU decision making right at its core through EHPM’s lobbying of the key decision makers in the European Commission, European Parliament and Member State governments
  2. Providing regular updates on regulatory and policy developments through EHPM’s monthly newsletter as well as instant updates on key developments
  3. Shaping regulatory and policy developments through detailed technical input to EU decision making organized through 4 dedicated working groups – communications, quality, technical and botanicals. These working groups bring together experts from EHPM’s national member associations
  4. Developing a specialized members areas for the EHPM website that allows EHPM members to share best practice and information on the regulatory situation in each Member State
  5. Promoting the highest standards in the European Food Supplement industry through EHPM’s Quality Guide
  6. Promoting the importance of the food supplement industry to the European economy and fighting for a regulatory framework facilitates the continued growth of the industry
  7. Providing guidance to national associations seeking to build relationships with their national Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and national government officials in Brussels
  8. Assisting members in clarifying EU regulatory requirements through dialogue with the European Commission
  9. Relaying information on EU and international regulatory and policy developments through EHPM’s memberships in the European Botanical Forum (EBF), the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) and the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (UEAPME)
  10. Listening to members feedback on the practical business impact of regulatory requirements and communicating this feedback to key decision makers in the EU institutions in a constructive manner