NPA-China Member Benefits

Why Join NPA-China

Trusted Partner in China
One of the most important reasons to join NPA China is the fact that you'll have an office in China working on your behalf. The association's China office works very closely with the U.S. Embassy and its team of health care commercial officers as well as a variety of Chinese government agencies and industry organizations. NPA China office is just an email or phone call away when you have questions or need assistance in the market.

Regulatory Advocacy
China's dietary supplement industry began approximately twenty years ago and is estimated to be worth $US 6.4 billion. This makes it relatively new compared with the U.S. industry and about one-fourth the size. Although China's dietary supplement industry is still developing, the potential for sizeable growth is significant due to China's rapid economic growth and increasing consumer demand for natural products that promote health and overall wellness. However, its current regulatory system is restrictive and lacks transparency. Product registration, allowable claims and potency restrictions have created a non-tariff barrier to trade. NPA China and its partner the U.S. Department of Commerce are committed to opening the market, which will facilitate greater exports from the association's members.

Since 2007, NPA China has prepared the dietary supplement industry paper, which is published in the American Chamber of Commerce's annual "White Paper". It can be viewed electronically at the following address listed under publications: http://www.amchamchina.org/. The industry paper currently addresses the major issue of product registration, which at present is confusing, costly and definitely an obstacle for U.S. dietary supplement companies wishing to enter the China market.

On May 31, 2009, China's Ministry of Health submitted the "Health Food Supervision Administrative Regulations" draft for comment to the Legislative Office of the State Council. On June 18, 2009, NPA China submitted comments and an industry report with suggestions for reform to the State Council and the State Food and Drug Administration. NPA China is the only trade association operating in China and the only foreign entity submitting comments on the U.S. industry's behalf.

Supply Chain Testing and GMP Certification
NPA has created the quality assurance and testing program in order to safeguard the global supply chain of dietary supplement ingredients flowing out of China. To make this program possible, NPA has partnered with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). USP is the world's leader in testing, verification, quality assurance and standard setting for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. USP's new state of the art facility in Shanghai is responsible for testing ingredients from Chinese suppliers. The program is open to all Chinese suppliers wishing to improve their quality standards, meet new U.S. FDA GMP regulations and food safety protocols as well as work more closely with U.S. companies.

Since launching this program, NPA has been holding regular seminars in China in a variety of cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xi'an to educate Chinese suppliers on the testing program as well as U.S. FDA's new cGMP regulations. Participation in these seminars has been strong and companies are very eager to learn more about their largest export market. NPA is also offering its cGMP certification program to Chinese suppliers, which will add another layer of insurance for the supply chain; it will also increase the association's ability to interact with quality suppliers and manufacturers, which in turn benefits NPA China manufacturing members looking for ingredient suppliers.

Both of NPA's quality assurance programs are fully supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce and were the only third party programs highlighted in the "Import Safety Plan Action Update" to former President Bush in July 2008.

More details on NPA - USP testing program can be found here.

Expo/Trade Show and Educational Seminars
Having an expo in China is crucial for U.S. companies to expand their presence and recognition among Chinese distributors, retailers and consumers. NPA supports a variety of expos in China and is happy to invite its members to attend these shows in order to get a better understanding of the market and its players.

Registration Services
NPA's local consulting partner has agreed to give NPA China members a discount on its product registration services. NPA's partner guarantees its service, which no other registration company can offer. They will assist your company in getting label approval to import products classified as food as well as help you to register "healthy food products" that have a particular functional claim. This organization is also one of China's top market research firms in regard to the dietary supplement industry.

Trademark and Legal Services
NPA has relationships with local law firms in Beijing to assist its members with trademark registration or dispute as well as IPR issues and arbitration services. Although members may work with international law firms that have offices in China, these firms are not allowed to practice law in China. They act more like legal consultants. So if legal troubles unfortunately arise, the association can recommend its local legal partners.

Partner and Distribution Services
NPA has built up a good reputation with Chinese government agencies, organizations and companies involved in the natural products industry. The association can assist to introduce its members to potential partners, suppliers and distributors.

China Now: Market Updates
Newsletter provided by NPA China to its members. The Newsletters are issued quarterly or as relevant material becomes available. China Now will provide news on regulatory environment, new legislation, NPA China activities and any information related to the natural products industry in China.

Online Communications
NPA China launched its Chinese language version website. Its purpose is to keep NPA's China partners and industry leaders aware of important NPA events such as Quality Assurance and Testing seminars held in China, trade shows and trade missions. The site also gives some relevant background information about the association and its importance in the U.S. market.

• Open to U.S. and Foreign Companies: Membership in the Natural Products Association-China is open to companies foreign to China and business entities (e.g., corporations, partnerships) or persons engaged in the manufacture, distribution, marketing and/or sale of dietary supplements, health foods, personal care items or natural products in China.
• A voice in the association: Each member is a voting member. Member companies will have the ability to vote on the decisions that guide the association’s policies in regards to regulatory advocacy.
• Essential materials: Members will have access to materials and initiatives the Beijing office is working on as well as voting rights on issues that come to the board.
• Partnership is powerful: Members will benefit from the efforts of Natural Products Association-China to work closely with U.S. and Chinese authorities to achieve a more open and transparent system for the natural products industry in China
• Quality assurance: Quality assurance is essential to doing business in China, and the association is developing a quality assurance program. We are partners with a U.S. laboratory based in China that tests outgoing raw material ingredients. Association members will benefit directly from this program. This program will save the member companies time and money and will allow member companies to pass on the quality assurance guarantee to their customer base. Non-member companies can also benefit from the quality assurance program on a fee-based system, once development is complete.