Portugal’s Infarmed Faces EU Law Clash Over CBD-Infused Cosmetics via GCI
19 March 2025
THE WHAT?
Portugal’s National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) has ordered the removal of multiple CBD-based cosmetic products from the market. The agency’s decision hinges on the claim that CBD from cannabis extracts is classified as a narcotic in Portugal, conflicting with the European Union’s principle of free movement of goods.
THE DETAILS
- Infarmed mandated the withdrawal of CBD-infused products from brands including SVR, Naturasor, and Dermacol.
- The regulator’s position directly contradicts the European Court of Justice’s 2020 ruling that CBD is not a narcotic under international conventions.
- By blocking these products, Portugal risks violating EU law, which forbids member states from restricting legally produced CBD merchandise without scientific evidence of harm.
- The enforcement disrupts the growing local market for CBD skin care and may push manufacturers toward reformulation or synthetic alternatives to circumvent regulations.