GRMA launches website ahead of releasing consensus-based GMP standard for dietary supplements

By Stephen Daniells

- Last updated on GMT

© iStock FlairImages
© iStock FlairImages

Related tags Dietary supplements Good manufacturing practice

The Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) has launched www.GRMAlliance.org to encourage participation in the ANSI standards development process, with its GMP standard for supplements expected soon.

The organization is also in the process of hiring an administrative manager as it continues developing an ANSI-approved, consensus-based standard for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) in the dietary supplement industry, scheduled to be published this spring.

“We’ve had tremendous participation from store brand retailers, manufacturers, trade associations and certification bodies,”​ said Casey Coy, interim manager of the GRMA. “Our new website will make it easier for individual stakeholders to participate in GRMA activities and the ANSI standard development process.”

First supplements, and then cosmetics, OTC and more

The GRMA initiative currently includes over 20 major retailers in the grocery, drug, mass merchandiser and club store channels, representing US-based and international operations. The alliance also includes manufacturers, trade associations, certification bodies, academia, government agencies and other stakeholders seeking to improve quality, safety and regulatory compliance to ultimately benefit the consumer. The GRMA Governance Board includes members from retailers (Costco, H-E-B, Walgreens and Wegmans) and manufacturers (First Quality Products, Perrigo, UEC and Vi-Jon).

Manufacturers of dietary supplements must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (CFR 111), while retailers may also have a number of additional requirements for manufacturers, which can lead to variety of standards. The GRMA aims to “tie” all these additional auditing requirements into one industry audit. 

Work on a single, industry accepted standard and auditing program for dietary supplements using the ANSI consensus-based standard development process started in 2014, and draft language for the standard was expect to be finalized for approval by the Joint Committee before the end of 2016. GRMA plans to publish the first ANSI-approved GMP standard for dietary supplements this spring, which is when a period of public comment begins. 

By combining regulatory GMP requirements and various retailer requirements, the standard will help ensure consistency and proper training of auditors, reduce the number of audits and financial costs associated with multiple audits, and strengthen safety, quality and trust throughout the supply chain.

“As part of the ANSI standard development process, we now expect the GMP standard for dietary supplements to be published for public comment in spring 2017,”​ Coy said. “The GMP standards for cosmetics and personal care products, over-the-counter drugs and medical devices are on track to be published later in 2017.”

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