When was a product first sold?

[paulkaye]

Now this is a long-shot. Does anyone know of a register/database/website where I could find out when a product was first sold in the UK (or EU)?

[SillyJokes]

Is it necessary to register when you are the first person to import a product? I don't think so.

If not, then you will find this data hard to find.

[paulkaye]

It sounds really stupid, I know. The product is a herbal medicine and to get European 'fast-track' authorisation, my client needs to show that it is 'traditional'. This means a product with similar ingredients has been used for over 15 years in the EU. Long story, long shot. But who knows!?

[JoyDivision]

There should be records of import licences but I am not sure if its public or if it will say that the product actually is.

[paulkaye]

Yup - really didn't hold up much hope! I'm currently contacting existing suppliers of similar products and asking them one by one how long they've been selling the product. Maybe I should be looking for a list of suppliers instead. There must be a listing (even dunn & bradstreet) of retailers of herbal medicines...