Influence of Technical Barriers to Trade of Herbal Medicines in European Union on Export of Traditional Chinese Medicines

OBJECTIVE: To analyze Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT) of herbal medicines in European Union(EU) und-er The Directive 2004/24/EC and to provide thoughts for the export of traditional Chinese medicines(TCM).METHODS: TheTBT set by European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) was discussed from aspects of the simplification of restrictions on application, technical standard specifications and authentication system, and documents for registration etc, and some suggestions for the export of TCM were put forward. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Firstly, Chinese government should strengthen the communication and cooperation with European governments. Secondly, more advanced TCM quality specification should be set up. Thirdly we need to seek for support through multinational investment. Finally we should set up some information consultancy agents and to get access to information related to TBT.