Which are the requirements for packaging and labeling?
There are many ways to pack natural products, depending on the product, the buyer and the legislative requirements. Packaging and labelling of herbal raw material is principally carried out according to the requirements of the buyer. The exporter should reach an agreement with the importer, as to which packaging to use. General requirements for packaging and labeling are included in the "Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for Medicinal Plants", published by the World Health Organisation (www.who.org). The raw material, after it has been tested for quality and foreign matter, should be clean and packaged in air and lightproof containers. Labels for raw materials should specify the material and the batch it comes from. Furthermore, it is recommended to include the name and address of the producer/exporter, the net weight and recommended storage conditions.