Slovenia has proposed a new regulation to implement and enforce the requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. The measure designates the national competent authority responsible for processing applications related to health claims and establishes penalties for non-compliance.
Under the draft regulation, the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection will serve as the competent authority for receiving applications under Articles 13 and 14 of Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 concerning health claims.
The proposal introduces an enforcement framework covering a wide range of infringements, including:
Use of nutrition or health claims that do not comply with EU requirements;
Use of unauthorized nutrition or health claims;
Failure to provide scientific substantiation for claims;
Failure to supply evidence demonstrating compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006;
Use of prohibited health claims on alcoholic beverages containing more than 1.2% alcohol by volume;
Non-compliant comparative claims;
Use of disease risk reduction claims or children's health claims that do not meet regulatory requirements.
The draft establishes administrative fines ranging from:
EUR 2,000 to EUR 20,000 for legal entities, increasing to EUR 4,000 to EUR 40,000 for medium-sized and large companies;
EUR 1,000 to EUR 10,000 for sole proprietors;
EUR 200 to EUR 2,000 for responsible persons and individuals.
The regulation would replace Slovenia's existing implementing regulation on nutrition and health claims and enter into force 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.
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