. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/NLD/55
4 April 2001
(01-1710)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  THE NETHERLANDS
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:  Minister for Public Health, Welfare and Sport
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where
applicable). Herbal preparations and foodstuffs and other products which contain herbal
preparations (some examples are: nutritional supplements containing herbs, herbal tea, and
soft drinks which contain herbal extracts). Products which are already regulated in another
legal framework will be excluded from the operation of this decree.  Examples of products
which are not covered by this decree are: pharmaceutical products, spices and cosmetics
Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  Any
country selling these products in The Netherlands.
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Decree of 19 January 2001
containing a general administrative regulation establishing the Commodities Act Decree onHerbal Preparations (12 pages)
5. Description of content:  Herbal preparations are prepared from plants. The Commodities
Act Decree on herbal preparations contains an appendix in which a number of plants are
named whose use is forbidden or strictly controlled.  Included in the list are plants which are
at the present time known scientifically to be able to exert damaging effects on health. In
addition, a number of labelling requirements will be set for herbal preparations.  Thus, in
the case of an assertion being made about the action or properties of the product, the traderwho brings the herbs onto the market must be able to substantiate this claim with objective
information.  In addition, herbal preparations in the form of foodstuffs must contain
directions for use and dosage instructions.  Herbal preparations in forms other than
foodstuffs must include, amongst other things, a list of ingredients, directions for use and
dosage instructions.
6. Objective and rationale: [  X ] food safety,  [     ] animal health,  [     ] plant protection,
[    ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [     ] protect territory from
other damage from pests           
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [  X ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:           
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available: Commodities Act
Decree on Herbal Preparations (Bulletin of Acts and Decrees of the Netherlands,
Number 56, 19 January 2001 pages 1-12)G/SPS/N/NLD/55
Page 2
9. Proposed date of adoption:  19 January 2001 (published in the Bulletin of Acts and
Decrees, 2001,56)
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  1 February 2001 with exception of Article 6
(1 January 2002) and Article 5, second paragraph (1 January 2003)
11. Final date for comments:  60 days after notification
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [     ] National notification
authority, [     ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:           
12. Texts available from: [     ] National notification authority, [  X ] National enquiry point
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
Ministry of Economic Affairs. Central Service Imports and Exports.
Section EEC/WTO-Notifications
P.O. Box 30003
9700 RD Groningen
Telephone: +31/ 5052 39111
Telefax:  +31/ 5052 60698E-mail/Internet: cdiuor@noord.bart.nl
E-mail/X400: C=NL; A=400NET; P=CDIU; S=NOTIF;OU1=CDIU