Council Directive 81/851/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to veterinary medicinal products.

The provisions of this Directive shall apply to veterinary medicinal products offered for sale in the form of proprietary medicinal products, ready-made veterinary medicinal products or premixes for medicated feedingstuffs. No veterinary medicinal product may be marketed in a Member State unless the competent authority has previously issued authorization. Member States shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the competent authorities ascertain that the manufacturers and importers of veterinary medicinal products from third countries are able to manufacture them in compliance with this Directive. In order to facilitate the adoption of a common position by the Member States with regard to marketing authorizations, a Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products shall be established. The competent authority of the Member State concerned shall ensure, by means of inspection, that the legal requirements relating to veterinary medicinal products are complied with.