EU legislation on herbal medicine comes into effect

Major changes to the legislation of herbal medicine products were introduced across all EU member countries on 30 October 2005. The Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive is designed to enhance consumer safety and choice. Companies who wish to register their products will have to supply evidence about the safety and use of the remedy. They will also be required to meet quality standards. All registered products will be accompanied by information about its safe usage, representing a significant improvement in consumer protection; until now there has been no way of knowing which products were made to an acceptable standard. For products already on the market in 2004 there will be a transitional period until 2011, allowing time for companies to adapt to the new legislative requirements.

<http://mhra.gov.uk>, accessed November 3, 2005.