EAS holds workshop to help empower companies on use of mutual recognition in EU
16 September 2009
Food businesses frustrated with the barriers to trade they face from one national market to the next in the European Union (EU) will be given clear steps on how to overcome these challenges and successfully place products across the EU at an upcoming workshop being hosted by international food and nutrition policy consultancy EAS.
The one-day interactive workshop, focused specifically on how to use the EU’s new mutual recognition regulation which became applicable in May this year, will take place in Brussels on 17 September, led by EAS regulatory experts.
Presenters at the event, titled ‘How to apply the new mutual recognition regulation in EU Food Law’, will help companies address all aspects relating to the new mutual recognition regulation, including how it works in principal and in practice, where mutual recognition does and does not apply, rules for companies and for EU Member States, and procedures for making complaints.
“While the definition of the principle of mutual recognition in itself is clear, companies regularly come up against barriers to trade in different EU markets,” said Elodie Lebastard, EAS Regulatory Adviser. “This is largely because both companies and national authorities are unclear on how to correctly implement the principle, and up till May when the new mutual recognition regulation became applicable Member States have been able to stick to their vastly differing regulations.”
She continued: “The new regulation holds huge promise of being a useful tool for both the food sector and the national authorities as it set clear rules and obligations on both parties as well as recourse for complaints. It is an especially important piece of legislation in light of the European Commission’s opinion in December last year that the use of substances other than vitamins and minerals in food supplements should not be further harmonised across the EU. It is imperative that companies clearly understand the regulation’s principles and how it will impact on their business strategies. ”
EAS experts will give guidance on the rights and procedures for the food sector, as well as considerations for applying mutual recognition in borderline cases, and navigating the newly formed ‘Product Contact Points’, otherwise known as the SOLVIT System.
The workshop is limited to 25 attendees to ensure participants have the opportunity to be given clear advice of specific issues they face within their companies regarding mutual recognition.
For more information about the workshop or to register for the event visit www.eas.eu, email workshop@eas.eu or contact Pieter Dhondt on +32 2 218 14 70.
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