🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

TCM brands expand abroad; overseas revenue remains unclear

•  Sichuan Neautus sells in 10 markets outside China, including the US and Germany. Publicly available materials do not show a geographic revenue split that would clarify whether overseas operations are material.
•  In the EU, traditional-use registration needs evidence of at least 30 years of medicinal use, including 15 within the European Economic Area (EEA) 1. Firms may pursue a well-established use marketing authorisation based on published literature 2. All paths require a full quality dossier and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance 2.

Cross-border compliance opens doors for tech firms and consultancies

•  As TCM brands enter Western markets, buyers want tools for regulatory compliance. Labelling management systems keep product labels aligned with country rules and handle EU traditional herbal medicine requirements 2.
•  E-commerce platforms and logistics providers can support manufacturers that want direct-to-consumer sales abroad. Herb Standard plans international channels, and Sichuan Neautus brings business-to-business (B2B) platform experience 3.
•  Testing and quality firms can serve TCM exporters. EU rules require checks for contaminants such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (plant-derived toxins) with strict limits of 1.0 µg per maximum daily adult dose, plus assessments for elemental impurities like heavy metals 1.