The main objectives of the association are:

• to establish a common general policy and to make known and protect effectively, by collective discussion and action, the viewpoint of the tea and herbal infusions trade and industry;
• to make contact with current EU-officials and representatives of other organisations and to collaborate constructively with them in any matter related to the tea and herbal infusions trade and industry;
• to ensure a close contact between members and to in-form them about any matters related to tea and herbal infusions trade and industry, especially on the development of EU legislation;
• to promote the Compendium of Guidelines for Tea and the Compendium of Guidelines for Herbal and Fruit Infusions as standards defining best practice for products in the sector;
• to generally perform everything which is in the interest of the tea and herbal infusions trade and industry.

THIE closely co-operates with other European and international organisation. THIE is member of FoodDrinkEurope (FDE), the European Liaison Committee for Agricultural and Agri-Food Trade (CELCAA) and the Association of Wholesale, Import and Export Trade Hamburg (WGA). THIE is registered with the EU Commission, participates in the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea as well as Codex Alimentarius as observer.

Target:

To create an appropriate and sustainable legal framework for tea and herbal infusions’ companies in the EU and beyond, by means of:

• Product definitions
  (what the companies are allowed to market)
• Raw materials’ issues
  (e. g. residues, contaminants, microbiology)
• Sales matters
  (e. g. labelling, consumer magazines, contaminants from packaging)

Key Issues:

• Product safety
• Legal issues in relation to tea and herbal infusions
• Labelling
• General promotion of tea and herbal infusions