Before starting to supply food supplements to each new EU market, it is necessary to notify the responsible authorities about the product. Notification of food supplements is a complex process, during which a notification report, all necessary documents, correct labelling in the national language, and other relevant information about new food supplements are submitted to the competent authority.
Food supplements are one of the product categories with the most regulatory nuances in different markets. In practice, food supplement notification raises many specific issues related to the recognition of ingredients in target markets, restrictions on the use of various claims, etc.
The INTRA VIRES team has many years of experience and a successful track record in food supplement notification in various European and other countries around the world.
We provide the following services:
- We advise on food supplement notification issues.
- We determine whether a specific product can be legally supplied to target markets.
- We help to effectively resolve challenges and issues that arise during the notification process.
- We submit notification reports to the competent national authorities, evaluate and prepare accompanying documents.
- We represent clients throughout the notification process in communication with the State Food and Veterinary Service or other authorities responsible for notification.
- We take other necessary steps to ensure the successful notification of food supplements in the Baltic countries and other EU Member States.
Food supplements – notification: what should you pay attention to?
- First of all, before starting physical or remote trade in food supplements and notifying them, it is necessary to apply to the competent national authority for the issuance of a food business operator approval certificate or registration of a food business operator.
- When importing food supplements from non-EU countries, it is first necessary to assess their composition in principle and ensure that there are no critical obstacles that would prevent the product from being supplied in EU countries. This requires an assessment of the national requirements of the countries to which the food supplements are to be supplied.
- When importing food supplements from non-EU countries, it is also recommended to ensure that the supplier can provide the appropriate documents and information required for the notification of the product in the EU.
- If a food supplement has already been notified in one EU country, this does not necessarily mean that it will be successfully notified in another market. It is important to consistently assess national requirements and strictly follow the notification procedure.
- To notify a food supplement in several countries, it is particularly useful to plan the procedure taking into account national requirements, especially if the product to be placed on the market is not manufactured in the EU.
- A fee is payable for notification, the amount and frequency of which varies between EU countries.
- Online notification of food supplements is a practical solution used in many countries, opening the way to the market.
Countries where we provide food supplement notification services
The notification of food supplements is closely related to national requirements. We liaise with the authorities responsible for this process and ensure the legal compliance of food products in the Baltic States, Poland, and other countries (subject to a separate agreement).
Why is it worth turning to experts?
Notification of food supplements requires legal knowledge and understanding of the nuances of the target market, as well as communication with the responsible authorities. In practice, food supplements often fall into regulatory “grey areas” where common guidelines apply at the EU level, but their application depends on national provisions. For this reason, a product notified elsewhere may be more difficult to notify – or even unacceptable – in some EU markets. In addition, in order to smoothly and successfully notify a new food supplement, it is particularly useful to know what requirements apply in the retail chains, shopping centres, and pharmacies of a particular country.
The INTRA VIRES team and partners in EU countries are not randomly selected translators or temporary consultants, but regulatory experts who speak the local language and are well-versed in national legislation and market practices. We have valuable experience in managing processes where a product is notified in two, three, or more countries at the same time.
Taking into account the specifics of a particular product, we will help ensure compliance with EU and national regulations, smoothly notify the product, and successfully launch it in the target market.
Contact us and let’s find the best solution for you together!
