He was an MP from 23 May 2002 to 19 September 2012, focusing on matters of foreign policy, the European Union, biotechnology, medical ethical affairs and animal welfare.

Henk Jan Ormel also sat on the Executive Committee of AWEPA.

Following the stepping down of Esther de Lange as a Member of the European Parliament, Ormel was sworn in as her successor on 27 February 2024.

Ormel's term came to end on 15 July 2024, as he did not run for re-election in June 2024.

This article about a Dutch Christian Democratic Appeal politician is a stub.