New GMP Regulations: What Do They Mean for Your Company?

In August 2006, the new GMPs went into effect for large dietary supplement manufacturers. Soon to follow will be medium and small dietary supplement manufacturers, which will be required to abide by these regulations in 2009 and 2010. Having been in production for over 10 years, the new GMP regulations have been created to provide consumers with nutritional products that are correctly labeled and free of contaminants and adulterants. To do so, they are chiefly concerned with the purity of ingredients and the accuracy of labels.

One major concern with the GMP regulations is the cost of remaining compliant. Because the regulations require testing, many companies, especially smaller manufacturers, are concerned that they may not have enough resources to properly test all the products. Further, the lack of standardized testing procedures makes it more difficult to do so. However, most vitamin and supplement manufacturers see the new GMP regulations as a step in the right direction, since it “levels the playing field.” If all manufacturers are subject to the same strict rules for potency and contaminants, then it is harder to undercut price by cutting corners with quality, resulting in a safer marketplace and better products for consumers.

For distributors/marketers, the new GMP regulations mainly awaken concern about the cost of production and label compliance. Because there is required testing for each product made by a vitamin or supplement manufacturer, the price of producing these products may go up, resulting in a higher cost to the distributor. Further, the marketer of the nutrition products is also involved in label compliance under the new GMP regulations, providing possible liability issues.

To learn more about the new GMP regulations, the Natural Products Association, and how Vitarich Laboratories can help you and your company, call or e-mail us today.