At the third International Congress on Traditional Medicine held on November 13, executiveof European traditional medicine union revealed that EU would carry out traditional medicine law, which would exert far-reaching influence upon China's herbal medicine export.

The law will take effect from October 2005.

According to the law, traditional herbal medicines are not allowed to be sold in Europe unless they are used in EU's member countries for more than 30 years, or used in EU for morethan 15 years and outside EU for more than 30 years. Meanwhile,EU will examine the production condition of relevant factories.Those unqualified would be deprived of export rights.

Li Lianda, the chief researcher of China's traditional medicineresearch institute said that in China, the quality of some traditional medicine was not stable, and could not meet international requirements.

Sources say that many Chinese enterprises have begun to undergotechnological innovation and production reform in accordance with EU's new law. Experts believe that by doing so, these enterprises will see more stable sales.

EU accounts for 44.5% herbal medicine consumption in the world.It is the biggest export market of China.

　　From Healthy.net