If you place food supplements or cosmetics on the market, several EU regulatory changes are converging at once. Here are three developments to keep on your radar, and what they mean in practice.
What’s changing
Harmonised EU maximum levels for vitamins and minerals. The EU is moving towards harmonised maximum (and minimum) levels for vitamins and minerals in supplements and fortified foods. A public consultation is expected in the second half of 2026, with formal adoption later. The concern in the sector is that permitted levels, minerals in particular, could come down sharply, and the Commission has not committed to a formal economic impact assessment. See the European Commission file.
Food supplement rules in Belgium. Three themes keep returning: maximum levels for nutrients, the Article 8 notification procedure required before a supplement can be sold, and labelling, including the need for German on products aimed at the German-speaking community. More on the EU framework on the European Commission website.
Omnibus VIII for cosmetics. Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78 amends the Cosmetics Regulation for substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR). It applies from 1 May 2026 with no sell-through period, so non-compliant stock must be off the market by then. It adds prohibitions to Annex II and tightens Annex III. See a regulator’s summary.
What to do now
Map your portfolio against the nutrient levels being discussed and document the impact for affected products. Make sure your Belgian notification dossiers are complete and your labels carry the right languages. For cosmetics, screen formulations and labels against the updated annexes, reformulate where needed, and clear any non-compliant stock before 1 May 2026. Early preparation is far easier than reacting against a deadline.
How MPCA can help
We support supplement and cosmetics companies with notifications, labelling, ingredient screening and impact assessments across the Benelux. See our regulatory affairs service page, and we are happy to walk through what these changes mean for your portfolio.
This article is for general information and reflects the situation at the time of writing. Timelines are indicative; always consult the official EU publications for binding requirements.