This new program is being launched with two key partners and industry advocates, HealthLOQ and the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to establish a clear set of criteria for manufacturers, labs and retailers. It incorporates several normative references and regulatory requirements.
Alan Shultis, executive director of GRMA, explained that the new program aims to enhance credibility, scientific integrity and consumer competence in the dietary supplement industry. It was developed over 2.5 years with input from various stakeholders, including manufacturers, brands, retailers, testing bodies and other trade organizations
“We had several organizations within our company involved, so when I say that—we had manufacturers, we had brands, we had retailers, testing, inspection, certification bodies, some insurance companies and also we had some other trade organizations that we're collaborative partners with participate,” he said.
“And it's really taken us about two and a half years to develop this unique approach to evaluating product integrity for dietary supplements, given the amount of changes that are going on within the market, within products, the difference in labs and lab capabilities that are out there.”
GRMA's goal is to create a standardized approach that goes beyond current lab accreditation requirements and provides consumers with confirmed identity ad composition, specifies strength and purity, and ensures the absence of undeclared adulterants and unacceptable contaminants.
“This is the first time that there's ever been a tool developed that goes beyond [ISO] 17025 accreditation for labs," Shultis said. “It will be very unique to dietary supplements, and we want to see ultimately and be receptive to additional feedback from the broader community on how the rollout goes, if there's additional changes that we need to make from a continuous improvement perspective. It's going to go well, but I think there's probably going to be some things that we'll learn as we're going through.”
For more details on the program and how to participate, watch the full interview.
