Associate Health Minister Casey Costello, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard, and Trade Minister Todd McClay have announced the first steps in modernising the regulation of exported dietary supplements.
Dietary supplements are a subset of natural health products, including vitamins and minerals intended to supplement a person’s diet.
Under changes to the Therapeutic Products Act Repeal Bill, the Government has moved the Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 from the long-repealed Food Act 1981 and reissued them under the modern Food Act 2014.
“We are using the Therapeutic Products Act Repeal Bill to address some long-term issues for New Zealand companies wanting to export dietary supplements,” said Costello.
“In repealing the Therapeutic Products Act, we can put sensible legislation in place for natural health products, including dietary supplements. This will take time, as we will consult with the sector. However, we still have an opportunity to make improvements now to support our exporters.”
Hoggard added that this was what the industry wanted and would allow exported products to apply for exemptions from New Zealand labelling and composition requirements to better compete in international markets.
He said that New Zealand exporters have been competing with other countries’ products with one hand tied behind their backs. In some cases, antiquated New Zealand rules meant that dietary supplements could not even be exported to certain countries, even though they were made to internationally recognised standards.
“The Government has set the ambitious target of doubling exports by value in 10 years. Enabling exemptions for our exported dietary supplements will cut trade-restricting red tape and help to grow this innovative sector,” said McClay.
This change is the first in a series of reforms to the export of dietary supplements and, in the longer term, other natural health products.
Costello also mentioned that the government has agreed to regulate natural health products under a standalone bill. At the same time, the current Medicines Act will be replaced with a new Medical Products Bill.
“The Government has heard the message that came through loud and clear from the natural health products sector: don’t regulate us alongside medicines and medical devices.”
Officials in the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Ministry of Health have been working on other interim improvements to the regulation of dietary supplements while work has continued on a standalone natural health products Bill.
“The Government will work with the sector as we progress further changes to the export regime, and I look forward to making further announcements, alongside my colleagues, in the new year.”
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