Selling Food Supplements Remotely

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We have previously discussed the procedure for registering food supplements. This article focuses on a specific category of food supplement trade, namely remote trade.

Applicability

According to the specialized Ordinance on Specific Requirements for Remote Selling of Foods, remote trade refers to the offering and distribution of foods through remote communication means. This can include offering products via a catalog on a website, through social media, a contact phone number, a postal address, email, and more. Delivery to the end consumer can be made via direct delivery through courier or postal services or using the business operator’s own transport.

Procedure

The registration of a trader who will distribute food supplements through remotely, as defined above, requires a separate registration with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA). Such traders are entered into a separate register. It is important to note that the food supplements themselves, which will be sold, require individual registration under the standard procedure, independent of the process discussed in this article.

The registration of a remote trader begins with an application form submitted to the BFSA. The application must detail all significant elements of the remote selling operation. For example, the exact website through which the food supplements will be sold must be specified. If orders are placed exclusively by phone and the website serves solely for providing contact information, the phone number for orders must also be included.

Another necessary detail is the method of storage and delivery, as food supplements have specific requirements for storage and transportation. If the trader has contracted another company for warehousing, logistics, or transport services, the application should name the company and provide copies of the relevant agreements.

Lastly, the applicant must declare that internal rules for the remote selling of dietary supplements have been developed and are operational. These internal rules should cover transport and storage controls, product recall procedures, if necessary, criteria for selecting trading partners or providers of warehousing and logistics services, quality control, and more. These rules must be available and ready for presentation to BFSA officials, who serve as the supervisory authority in this context.

After successful registration and inclusion in the special register of business operators engaged in remote trade, the trader can proceed to register the individual food supplements they intend to distribute.

The article above is for information purposes only. It is not (binding) legal advice. For a thorough understanding of the subjects covered and prior acting on any issue discussed we kindly recommend Readers consult Ilieva, Voutcheva & Co. Law Firm attorneys at law.