The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has accomplished 90% harmonization in the traditional medicine and health supplement sector, and has plans to establish an ASEAN Single Market 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 aimed to demystify the health supplements regulatory framework and its harmonization progress within the ASEAN countries. In addition, it established the clear processes that companies need to be in compliance with in order to participate 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 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.”

“I am glad that our workshop not only attracted industry professionals at the event; it also gave insights to the government officials attending the event, including the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture, who felt that the workshop has helped to promote public awareness of harmonization in ASEAN among the private sector,” said Evon Chan, regional regulatory affairs adviser at EAS.