SINGAPOR—The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced 90-percent harmonization in the traditional medicine and health supplement sector, and an ASEAN Single Market will be establish in 2015. This was the message to participants at EAS’s recent workshop on “Navigating Health Supplement Regulations in ASEAN for Successful Market Access" at Vitafoods Asia in Hong Kong.

The workshop demystified the health supplements regulatory framework and its harmonization progress within the ASEAN countries and established the clear processes that companies need to be in compliance with this new system in what will be the world’s largest Single Trading Market. The workshop attracted trade professionals and regulators from Asia, Europe and North America.

The harmonization of standards is an effort pursued by ASEAN to create common standards in regulating the import and export of products across the 10 member countries. “When fully implemented, harmonization of standards will enable products to be accepted regionally," said Wai Mun Poon, regional regulatory affairs manager at EAS. “It facilitates market access for companies in many ways, including lowering costs and upgrading technology to meet international standards."

EAS Strategic Advice has been advising major industry players and associations in the food, dietary supplements and healthcare areas for over 20 years. EAS specializes in harmonization issues across the world, including in ASEAN and the European Union.