Presentation be-sup

Working groups

EU key initiatives

BE key initiatives

Event highlights

Our key priorities

Presentation be-sup

BE-SUP: LEADING BELGIAN TRADE ASSOCIATION

Official Belgian Trade Association

Be-sup, recognized by the Council of State since 1990, represents the Belgian food supplements industry, providing expertise, regulatory support, and networking.

> 160 MEMBERS: VERTICAL INTEGRATION

Be-sup unites >160 members,
from SMEs to global players,
covering the entire industry chain
through strong vertical integration.

CONNECTED TO LEADING ASSOCIATIONS

Be-sup is a member of Fevia
and EHPM, ensuring industry
representation and shaping of
the sector at both the national
and the European level.

BE-SUP’S REPRESENTATIVITY

0%

Be-sup members:
70% Market Share

0%

Be-sup members:
90% Production Share

OUR MISSION

#WATCHDOG

Defending the image & credibility
of food supplements and the food
supplements industry

#FOODSUPVOCATE

Creating the best possible
framework for our members to do business: advocacy, lobby

#SUPACADEMY

Empowering our members with
unique food supplement
knowledge: advice, workshops,
conferences, #FFS congress,…

STRUCTURE OF BE-SUP

12 Board members

Patrick Geysen

(Phytophar) | President

Thomas Lienard

(Bio-Life) | Vice-President

Stefaan Vervarcke

(Metagenics) | Treasurer

Michel Horn

(Ortis)

Geert Van Gijseghem

(Eytelia)

Pascal Debauche

(Pranarôm)

Leen Van Beek

(Nestlé Health Science)

Neil Goffaert

(Lepivits)

Gilles Gernaey

(Legisana)

Koen Vanvuchelen

(Mercure Advisors)

Diane Beunen

(Equi-Nutri)

Be-sup Team

Valerie Vercammen

Managing Director

Linda Vansteenwinckel

Scientific Director

Ulrike Van den Houte

Regulatory Affairs & Communication
Director

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Working groups

MEMBER-DRIVEN COLLABORATION

Be-sup unites industry leaders to tackle key challenges in regulation,
quality, probiotics, and communication. Through dedicated working
groups, we ensure innovation, compliance, and a strong sector, both in
Belgium and internationally.

Ad hoc working groups (PPWR)

We create flexible working groups to address urgent industry topics like the PPWR, ensuring swift and effective action.

Communication

Clear, transparent communication is key to representing our  industry and keeping members informed.

Technical & Botanicals

We tackle regulatory and technical challenges with a special focus on botanicals to ensure compliance and innovation.

Quality

Upholding the highest quality standards across the entire food supplements industry.

Probiotics

Advancing the science and regulation of probiotics for a stronger and healthier market.

#FOODSUPVOCATE IN 2025

#FOODSUP VOCATE IN 2025

Advocating for the Food Supplements Industry, Shaping the Future of Food Supplements in Belgium and Europe.

2025 European Key Initiatives and Projects

Harmonizing Vitamin & Mineral Levels in the EU

Advocating for safe yet efficient maximum levels to ensure consumer safety and industry viability.

Defending Plant-Based Products

  • Promoting the EHPM graded approach to resume the evaluation of botanical health claims on hold.
  • Advocating against misuse of Article 8 for classifying plants and plant  preparations.
  • Responding to the HoA (Heads of Agencies) report to prevent the loss of essential botanicals from the market.
  • Monitoring court cases (e.g., HAD’s with Synadiet) to set crucial precedents for Article 8 files.
  • Matrix project: Collaborating with key opinion leaders (KOLs) to develop an adapted methodology for botanical
    safety assessments.

Probiotics

Advocate for a more balanced and practical approach to probiotics that supports innovation and growth in the food supplement sector while maintaining consumer protection.

Novel Foods

Developing a position paper to clarify industry perspectives and regulatory expectations.

Sustainability in the Industry

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): Advocating for transitional periods and searching for tailored solutions through dedicated working groups.

Engaging With Political Stakeholders

Strengthening dialogue between industry and policymakers through factory visits.

Influencer Marketing

Creation of a dedicated task force to
proactively address European regulatory pressure by developing clear influencer marketing guidelines for our sector.

2025 Belgian Key Initiatives and Projects

Regulatory and Legal Advocacy

  • New Royal Decree replacing existing decrees on nutrients, botanicals, and other substances: court case for annulment of the new decree before the Council of State.
  • Collective legal action regarding notification issues: appeal
    conclusions.
  • Voluntary update of notification files after five years: advocating for cautious and practical implementation.
  • Provide our members with practical guidance on the implications of stopping the central publication of recommended retail prices.

Product Labeling and Compliance

  • Use of German on sales labels in the nine municipalities of the German-speaking community of Belgium: advocating for a workable tolerance period and solutions.
  • Indication of unit prices for food supplements in kg: introducing a derogation demand for a reasonable alternative.
  • Obtaining clarification for the obligation of net weight and the meaning of the e-mark.
  • Advocate for a more proportionate application of the notification rules for private-label food supplements.
  • Agreement with APB clarifying when a new CNK code is
    required.

Safety and Scientific Monitoring

  • Nutrivigilance: advocating for improvements and monitoring misuses.
  • Advisory Commission for Plant Preparations: ensuring the protection of vital botanicals for food supplements, while keeping advice practical and industry-suitable.

#Watchdog and #SupAcademy in 2025

An overview of 2025 Key Informations and Events to help make life easier for our members.

Our Commitment to Key Priorities in 2026

#WATCHDOG

Be-sup is committed to combating misinformation that threatens the  credibility and reputation of food supplements and our industry  and will reinforce pro-active communication.

#Foodsupvocate

We will defend the food supplements industry on both national and
international levels, partnering with EHPM to make a difference.

Our Key Focus Areas:

#supacademy

At be-sup, we listen, inform, and connect.

Our enriching 2026 events include:

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING A THRIVING FOOD SUPPLEMENTS INDUSTRY!

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Ontdek alle inzichten en hoogtepunten in onze uitgebreide PDF-versie van het jaarverslag. Download het document en bekijk alle informatie in detail.