European Hemp Association Submits Four Novel Food Applications for CBD

The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) is spearheading an initiative to submit four Novel Food applications for CBD products. This move comes as part of EIHA's ongoing efforts to challenge the classification of natural hemp extracts as Novel Foods, which they argue should not be necessary for traditional hemp products. The applications aim to cover a wide range of CBD-related products, consolidating them into a single application to minimize costs for producers

To facilitate this process, EIHA has established a limited liability company, EIHA Projects GmbH, which will gather various members to submit joint Novel Food applications. The association estimates that an individual company registering a single product under Novel Food guidelines would incur costs of around €300,000. By joining the consortium, companies can significantly reduce these expenses, with membership fees ranging from €10,000 to €50,000, depending on company size

The financial requirements for the consortium are substantial, with a minimum of €2 million needed to cover laboratory analyses and toxicological studies on CBD and THC, which alone are estimated at €1.8 million. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has indicated that reviewing a Novel Food application typically takes between 18 to 24 months. However, the first CBD Novel Food application, submitted in 2016, was validated only in March 2020, highlighting potential delays in the process

EIHA maintains that products derived from industrial hemp varieties, such as leaves and flowers, and those extracted using traditional methods should not be classified as Novel Foods, provided they maintain natural cannabinoid levels. Conversely, synthetic extracts should be considered Novel Foods. This stance is supported by the Syndicat Professionel du Chanvre, whose president, Aurélien Delecroix, argues that traditional hemp products have been available in Europe long before cannabinoid isolates and concentrates

The consortium's initiative is particularly crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU, which comprise 66% of the market and may not afford independent toxicology studies. Lorenza Romanese, EIHA's managing director, emphasized the importance of the Novel Food application in safeguarding the EU's industrial hemp sector. This strategy not only addresses safety principles but also supports the economic viability of hemp producers across the region