Belgium: Royal Decrees on Nutrients, Substances, and Plants

In January 2025, the Belgian authorities published a Royal Decree amending three existing decrees related to nutrients, non-nutrient substances, and plant preparations. This update refines the general provisions and notification procedures. While the lists of authorised or prohibited ingredients remain unchanged, key procedural updates were introduced.

The update clarifies that a notification does not constitute a market authorisation, product conformity validation, or regulatory recognition, and cannot be used under Regulation (EU) 2019/515 on mutual recognition of goods.

France: Updates to the Pharmacopeia

In January 2025, the French Pharmacopoeia updated its Lists A and B of medicinal plants, restricting the sale of certain plant parts to exclusively to pharmacists.

List B now restricts to be sold only by pharmacists:

    – Clematis chinensis (rhizome and root),

    – Clematis hexapetala (rhizome and root), and

    – Pinellia ternata (rhizome).

It is important to note that both Pinellia ternata and Clematis hexapetala are not included in any national positive lists for Food or Food Supplements. While Clematis chinensis root is permitted in Food Supplements under specific conditions in some EU Member States, its sale in France is restricted to pharmacists.

List A now includes:

    – Alpinia oxyphylla (ripe fruit),

    – Lonicera japonica (flower),

    – Chrysanthemum morifolium (flower head),

    – Morus alba (leaf),

    – Eriobotrya japonica (leaf), and

    – Pogostemon cablin (aerial part).

The sale of these plant parts is similarly restricted to pharmacists, except when authorised for Food Supplements under Decree 2006-352. Many of these plants are not generally recognised as food ingredients in France. However, the leaf of Eriobotrya japonica is classified as non-novel under the EU Novel Food catalogue. Some other plant parts may be authorised in Food Supplements on a case-by-case basis, subject to national regulations.

We will keep you briefed as new information becomes available.