The first international commercial standards for plant extracts will be published in 2013, and the standards for 11 plant extract products will be introduced: Bilberry extract, Green tea extract, Ginkgo biloba extract, Grape seed extract, Milk thistle extract, Polygonum cuspidatum extract, Rutin, Hesperidin, Centella asiatica extract, White willow bark extract and Ginseng extract. The industry believes that the international business standards for plant extracts formulated this time apply to the international market for the export of plant extracts. Some of the indicator requirements and related measurement methods in the standard will be in line with international standards or pharmacopoeia regulations.
It is understood that the plant extract industry is an emerging industry with an annual growth rate of more than 15%, which has become one of the fastest growing industries in China. In 2011, the export value of plant extracts exceeded 1 billion US dollars. In the first half of this year, the export volume was about 600 million US dollars, and the export volume has accounted for more than half of the exports of Chinese medicine products. However, at present, China's plant extract products lack the necessary management norms in production, research and development, circulation, sales, etc. The state also lacks a set of comprehensive policies and regulations to guide,the vast majority of plant extract products have no national standards.
Although the Ministry of Commerce promulgated the "Green Standards for Foreign Trade of Medicinal Plants and Preparations" in 2005, and released five industries including extracts of St.-John's-wort, Angelica extract, Citrus extract, Red clover extract and Valerian extract. Standards, but this has not been able to meet the rapid development of the plant extract industry, and the relevant indicators in the existing standards are outdated and can not meet the current requirements of the domestic and international markets. Due to the lack of statutory standards, the regulatory authorities are unable to implement effective supervision. Some of the inferior products are shoddy, which damages the reputation and image of Chinese plant extract products in the international market.
On the other hand, at the beginning of this year, the adjustment of the new "List of Laws and Regulations", the newly added export commodity inspection (hazardous chemicals) and food hygiene supervision and inspection (food additives) increased the inspection cost and inspection time of plant extract products. The main reason is that the Food Safety Law stipulates that food additives must be produced and operated in accordance with national standards. Most of the plant extract products in China have no national standards and no industry standards, which makes it impossible for enterprises to apply for food production licenses (QS certificates).
This change in regulatory conditions has affected the normal production and operation activities and product exports of most plant extract companies, which has greatly restricted the development of the industry.
In order to cope with the impact of the adjustment of the "List of Laws and Regulations", we will fundamentally solve the problems caused by the lack of standards and promote the better development of the plant extract industry. The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products (hereinafter referred to as the "Medical Insurance Chamber of Commerce") Domestic excellent plant extract production and export enterprises, and the development of the "International Standards for Plant Extracts".
After several months of consultation, the Medical Insurance Chamber of Commerce held a meeting at the Fourth Council of Plant Extracts Branch held in Xi'an to discuss the development of the International Standards for Plant Extracts on June 15, 2012.
The meeting identified the first batch of 11 plant extract products that set the standard, which will be announced next year. The industry said that the implementation of this standard will not only help the standardization of the planting industry, but also trigger a new round of reshuffle in the industry and companies that lack competitiveness will be eliminated.
Source: Beijing Business Daily (Beijing)
