NPA Issues GMP Certification To Chinese Supplier

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 11 Nov 2009 - 4:00 PST

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The Natural Products Association (NPA) has announced it has issued good manufacturing practices (GMP) certification to a Chinese raw materials supplier. The company is the first in China to earn certification through NPA, joining more than 80 U.S. businesses currently GMP-certified by the association.

Shandong Zhongyuan Greentech Co., Ltd., a China-based dietary ingredient supplier, is a producer of Chondroitin sulfate for the dietary supplement industry, currently supplying the bulk of its materials to the U.S. market. Greentech chose to invest in NPA's GMP certification not only to prove its facility is compliant with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, but also to secure its future business. NPA-China's Executive Director Jeff Crowther presented Greentech's general manager, Mr. Li Naipu, with the certificate on November 5, 2009. During the presentation, Li said, "NPA's audit was so detailed and extremely thorough. The certification process has improved our operating procedures and prepared us to face any and all forthcoming audits with confidence."

"Greentech is keenly aware of the growing trend and need for third-party certifications," Li said. "Food safety legislation and quality assurance measures are increasing across the globe. Those that do not participate in verifying their standards or choose not to comply with government regulations will surely be part of the industry's history, not its future," said Li.

Earlier this year, the Natural Products Association's third-party auditors visited Shandong, China to conduct Greentech's first GMP audit. After an extensive audit and follow-up confirmation of compliance activities, Greentech successfully earned the association's GMP certification.

The NPA's GMP certification program, along with its ingredient testing program, was featured in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' July 2008 Interagency Working Group Report to the President on Import Safety as positive private sector initiatives to improve product quality, safety and transparency. (see here)

For a list of current GMP-certified companies, visit http://www.naturalproductsassoc.org/GMPcertified.

Source
The Natural Products Association