News

5th November 2002

New herbal medicine laws agreed

Plans to introduce new standards and safety checks for herbal medicines across the EU were agreed today in the European Parliament.

The first stages of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive were voted on in the Environment and Public Health Committee with MEPs backing numerous Conservative amendments supporting essential consumer rights. The Directive, if agreed, would introduce basic safety checks to ensure consistent quality and safety standards and a registration scheme.

John Bowis MEP, who is spearheading moves to protect consumer rights over herbal medicines, succeeded in passing several amendments at this critical First Reading stage.

Mr Bowis, Conservative Health Spokesman in the European Parliament, said today:

"Products already on the market should now be safeguarded after today. We have also opened the door that should allow small firms to continue innovating and developing new products in this market.

"The UK herbal industry and consumers will benefit from these positive agreements and we will continue to fight to assure this legislation remains balanced and reasonable in terms both of health protection and consumer choice."

Notes: The proposed Directive requires Member States to set up a registration scheme for herbal medicinal products. The UK has limited legislation and no registration scheme. The proposal will also require evidence that the product has been in use within the EU for 30 years, 10 of which can be from outside the UK.