Whether a peptide is legal in the Netherlands depends on how it is sold. Collagen and peptide creams fall under the Warenwet (Dutch Commodities Act) and are legal. Products for injecting, weight loss or muscle building fall under the Geneesmiddelenwet (Dutch Medicines Act) and are prohibited without a licence, even with the label ‘for research’.
It depends on how it is sold
There is no single rule for 'peptides'. Which law applies depends on how the product is offered (Radar):
| Sold as | Law | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Food or supplement (e.g. collagen) | Warenwet | NVWA |
| Cosmetics (e.g. peptide serum) | Warenwet / EU Cosmetics Regulation | NVWA |
| Product for injecting, weight loss or muscle building | Geneesmiddelenwet | IGJ |
Medicine without a licence = prohibited
Anyone offering medicines without a licence is breaching the Geneesmiddelenwet (Dutch Medicines Act). According to the IGJ, some webshops try to get around this by selling products only 'for research purposes' (Hart van Nederland). That label does not automatically make a product legal.
Online sellers of medicines must also register with the CIBG, via aanbiedersmedicijnen.nl (letter to Parliament, July 2026).
Why the inspectorate is issuing warnings
In February 2026, the IGJ warned that peptides bought online can carry serious and even fatal risks, and launched investigations into several Dutch-language webshops (NL Times). Problems include unknown purity, incorrect contents and contamination.
What about the US?
In the US, pharmacies may possibly be allowed to compound some peptides on prescription again, following a political change of course in 2026. That does not change the situation in the Netherlands: Dutch and European rules apply here.
In short
Collagen and peptide creams are simply legal. Peptides sold for injection as a product for weight loss, muscle building or recovery fall under the Geneesmiddelenwet (Dutch Medicines Act) and are prohibited without a licence.
This article is general information and not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘for research purposes’ make a product legal?
No. According to the IGJ, that label does not automatically make a product legal.
Who regulates peptides in the Netherlands?
The NVWA for food, supplements and cosmetics; the IGJ for medicines.
