Traditional Herbal Registration certification mark

What is the THR certification mark?
The THR certification mark is a type of trade mark. It indicates that the herbal medicine has been registered with the MHRA under the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme and meets the required standards relating to its quality, safety, evidence of traditional use and other criteria as set out under the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD) 2004/24/EC.

Under this scheme, the permitted indications for the medicine are based on traditional usage and not on evidence of effectiveness of the product. More information about the THR scheme can be found here.

Why was the THR certification mark introduced?
A number of products have now been registered under the THR scheme. Some of these products are starting to appear on the market, with many more expected in the coming months and years.

While all products registered under the scheme will include a nine digit registration number starting with the letters THR on the product container or packaging – eg THR 123 456 789 - it may still be difficult for consumers to identify registered products. The certification mark has been designed as an additional visible symbol to help consumers more easily distinguish those products benefiting from a THR from those which do not.

Will all products registered under the THR scheme have the certification mark?
Use of the certification mark is not compulsory. Companies can choose whether to include the THR certification mark on their registered products. However, the MHRA is recommending its use in order to help consumers identify those herbal medicines made to the standards set under the THR scheme.

Guidance for businesses registering products under the THR scheme
The MHRA has produced the following guidance document on the THR certification mark for businesses who have or are in the process of registering their products under the THR scheme.

› The Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) certification mark: Guidance for Business (32Kb)

Guidance for consumers
The MHRA has also produced the following guidance about the certification mark for patients, consumers, healthcare providers and others providing advice to the public about herbal medicines.

› The Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) certification mark: Guidance for consumers (107Kb)

Where to find more information on registered products
You can find information about the registered products in the public assessment reports which are made available on the Public Assessment Reports for herbal medicines page of the website. In addition, information relating to the safety of herbal medicines can be found on the Herbal Safety Advice and Herbal Safety News pages of our website.

Contacts for further information
For further information on the regulation of herbal medicines in the UK, contact Judith Thompson, telephone 020 7084 2945.

For further information on safety aspects affecting herbal remedies, please contact Leigh Henderson on 020 7084 2156, MHRA, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ.