Marcin Rytel | In Principle

According to the European Pet Food Industry Federation, in 2022 there were 8 million dogs in Poland, the 6th-highest number in Europe. The growing popularity of pets is noticeable. If you’re out walking your dog, morning or evening, it might seem nearly every person you pass is also walking their dog. More than 68% of dog owners humanise their pets and regard them as members of the family. This trend is affecting the market for pet products and services. The pet industry in Poland is growing rapidly, and this includes veterinary healthcare services.

The EU’s General Product Safety Regulation will start to apply in Poland on 13 December 2024. The GPSR will replace the product safety regulations now in force, and apply to many types of non-food consumer products. It sets general safety standards for all categories of consumer products for which more specific standards are not provided in other laws. Adapting to the changes will require relabelling of consumer products, among other efforts. But inspections and sanctions will have to wait for legislation by the Polish parliament.

Amendments to the EU’s provisions on medical devices were published in the Official Journal on 9 July 2024. The new rules will begin to apply six months after publication (i.e. from 10 January 2025). In vitro diagnostic devices are gaining extended certificate validity and longer transition periods. The EUDAMED database can be launched in steps, which should speed up the mandatory use of the modules that are now ready. Meanwhile, manufacturers and other participants in the distribution chain have a new obligation to report problems with availability of medical devices.

Food manufacturers are eager to use QR codes on their labels. Now the EU has normalised the use of these codes in the regulations. For now, the new rules apply only to the wine industry, which is pioneering in this area of food labelling. The QR code rules should make it easier for the industry to meet its new obligations to provide wine consumers with ingredients and nutrition information.

On 17 August 2023 the parliament held its final vote on a bill to tighten the section of the Pharmaceutical Law known as “Pharmacies for Pharmacists.” Now the act will be sent to the President of Poland, who will decide whether to sign it into law. The amendment (known as “Pharmacies for Pharmacists 2.0”) is stirring a lot of controversy. Its entry into force would significantly restrict the possibility to buy and sell pharmacies, and would require the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate to scrutinise franchise agreements. Pharmacy chains are concerned that the new provisions will lead to expropriation.

On 13 May 2023, a new regulation with detailed requirements for advertising of medical devices enters into force. Advertisers of such products, including influencers, must include warnings in advertising messages, similar to those familiar from drug advertisements.

On 20 March 2023, an amendment to the Medical Device Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, extending the validity of certificates for medical devices issued under the earlier regulations. The amendment was adopted as a matter of urgency and went into effect immediately (on the date of publication). The extension is intended to prevent shortages of medical devices on the market.