Last Updated on 16th September 2020

The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) has achieved a huge success regarding the permissible trade and sale of CBD-containing products.

The Federal government has sided with the EIHA against the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL). It has stated that “foodstuffs containing parts of the hemp plant are in principle not “novel” foods within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.”

Daniel Kruse, President of the EIHA, explains further here: “Hemp food products made from traditionally produced extracts with the natural full spectrum of the cannabinoids contained in the hemp plant are not novel foods.

“For the German hemp food industry, this statement by the government and the ministry is an important milestone”

As it stands Novel Foods must undergo a costly application process. Application costs vary according to the fees charged by Member state authorities and often end up being multiple thousands of euros.

Having cannabidiol removed from this list is a huge win for the burgeoning industry. It in effect grants greater access to the substance for both consumers and start-up companies dealing with hemp products.

One hopes that this is a sign of things to come in more European countries.

The UK’s Food Standards Agency is meeting next week. Let's hope they take a leaf from the German approach as Novel Food regulation is only advisory.

If the Novel food regulation is enacted it could mean the end of CBD for wellness and stars like Loose Woman’s Andrea McLean and all the people who get real benefit from CBD will lose access.