Food Supplements - when to start?

It is important to have a basic understanding of the EU and individual member state regulations and notification requirements and procedures when you expect to place your products on individual member markets at some stage. This way you will be better able to estimate lead-times, lower hurdles and reduce efforts and costs considerably once the commercial opportunities are about to materialize.

Taking the basics into account early on

There are important differences between individual EU member states. A product and its formulation may be fully compliant in one member state, while non-compliant in another. In some cases a non-compliant product may still be accepted based on mutual recognition by a member state if compliance and/or notification in another (specific) member state can be proven.

Procedures and lead-times for local notification vary significantly up to 6 months and may be shortened with proof of compliance and/or notification in another (specific) member state.

It is important to have a roll-out plan for marketing in the individual EU member states early on to timely prioritize based on commercial opportunities and regulatory requirements, lead-times and potential efficiency gains.

And benefit when placing your products on the EU market

Knowing the basics even before concrete EU market opportunities come up will help you to make the right choices now. Choice in selecting your suppliers and ingredients, in developing your formulations, in deciding on your product positioning and claims, and in rolling out your EU sales and distribution channels.

This way you will avoid the need to switch suppliers, to adjust your formulations and/or to adjust the product claims potentially rendering your products a very different (value) positioning. It will also prepare you for questions about safety, regulatory compliance and notifications that potential buyers will surely have.