"The EFSA Scientific Committee work is proposing a model for the safety assessment of botanicals,” , the European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) regulatory affairs director, Lorène Courrège, told NutraIngredients.com.

“It is a work conducted to test the EFSA proposed approach, and it is intended to be subject for further discussions with the sectors involved.”

The guidance comes after five years of work by EFSA scientists, in consultation with industry, and suggests a two-tier system of proving the safety of herbs split between traditional use data and emerging data including clinical and animal studies.

“Our experts are analysing the content of the document and preparing comments to be shared with EFSA," Courrège added.