EHPM's director of regulatory affairs, Lorene Courrege, said that while there are EU-wide regulations in place covering aspects of 'quality' such as hygiene, additives and contaminants, Good Manufacturing Practises (GMPs) had not been formalised, leaving QC (quality control) departments in a somewhat ambiguous position.

But companies were showing initiative to ensure their products did not fall foul of regulators by improving their manufacturing processes.

"The problem in Europe is that standards vary between countries - there has been no unifying directive in regard to QC like there has been in other areas like ingredients and health claims," she told NutraIngredients.com.

"There are very strict standards in some countries and others where this is not the case so it becomes difficult for companies that may trading across the bloc, that's why we urge companies to get in touch with organisations like ours that can help them achieve QC at the highest level."

QC guidance

In November, EHPM produced a Quality Guide for Food Supplements that has proved popular among Europe's supplements manufacturers as well as international companies with a presence in Europe.

The 61-page free download and printed title has been downloaded more than 1500 times and 3000 printed versions have been distributed among EHPM's 2000 members in 21 countries as well as to other companies and associations.

It had been downloaded in the US, Canada, Argentina as well as non-EU countries such Turkey, Serbia and Switzerland.

"The guide can be seen as a form of industry self-regulation, that's what it is intended for," said Guide editor and veteran European food law consultant, Berry Ottaway.

"Although a number of different national guidelines are already in place, these emphasise different aspects and requirements. The aim of the EHPM document is to harmonise these, so that we have a consistency across the EU, and also something that can be understood and worked to outside of the European Union."

Courrege said the Guide was similar to US GMPs that finally became law last year after more than a decade of deliberations.

"The experts that contributed to the guide have watched the development of GMPs for many years and so there are parallels," she said. "The end goal is the same - to produce safe, high quality products."

As well as manufacturing guidance the guide provides information on storage, packaging, distribution and documentation preparation.

It can be downloaded from here.