Imaginative omega 3 solutions: Incromega™ 3mulsion DHA
Croda Europe
The event is being arranged by consultancy group the European Advisory Service (EAS). It aims to advice businesses on how to develop strategies which will enable them to launch in different countries in the European market.
At the moment Member States differ radically on some important aspects in the supplement and fortified foods arena which is being harmonised by EU law.
Already the Commission has brought into place legislation which will harmonise the maximum levels for vitamins and minerals.
However, certain aspects of the rule, made under the Food Supplements Directive and fortified foods regulations, have yet to be finalized. These include deciding on the method to be used to set the levels.
At the moment there is still great diversification on acceptable upper levels for vitamins and minerals from country to country.
Harmonisation is a long process and has caused industry concern over how it is drawn up and implemented.
While the supplements directive and health claims legislation are effective in Europe, certain aspects have yet to be finalized. The Commission has an open-ended timescale for the setting of maximum levels.
The health claims legislation, regulation 1924/2006, came into force this summer and means claims a company wishes to use have to be submitted to the European Food Safety Authority and be supported by scientific evidence. A final decision on whether the claim will be allowed is not expected until 2010.
EAS regulatory adviser Pieter Lagae said: "While there are certainly still differences in the regulatory requirements for most countries in Europe these differences are not as substantial as are widely thought.
"With the right combination of knowledge, flexibility and strategic thinking, it's quite possible to overcome the regulatory challenges to marketing products across the whole of the EU."
The workshop, Building a Regulatory Strategy for Marketing Food Supplements in Europe: The key steps to a successful product launch, will cover the practical impact of the EU claims regulation, aims to outline the rules and status for vitamins and minerals across Europe and provide advice on labelling.
It also helps to tackle European concerns for herbs and other bioactive substances, and the future impact of steps towards EU harmonisation on businesses.