WASHINGTON—The Natural Products Association (NPA) won a national competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) to expand its business in one of the world’s fastest growing markets, while also helping to safeguard the global supply chain for natural products. The $160,000 award, which will be matched with private sector funds, was granted as part of the annual Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP), which builds public/private partnerships by providing federal assistance to non-profit organizations like trade associations that are particularly effective in reaching small- and medium-size enterprises.
“China is a huge market for finished natural products, but it’s also a huge supplier of many materials used for those products,” said David Seckman, executive director and CEO of NPA. “We have worked hard already to build strong relations and solid programs in China, and this award will help accelerate those efforts. By winning this award, we are once again being recognized as a leader and innovator in our industry, and for that we are very proud.”
NPA will work with International Trade Administration partners to accomplish the following objectives:
Improve Market Access—China’s current regulatory environment is very restrictive and out of sync with international standards. NPA will work closely with the USDOC to address non-tariff barriers with China’s regulatory body, the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). The association’s advocacy efforts will improve market access conditions for U.S. manufacturers.
Safeguard and Manage Supply Chain—Working together with the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), NPA will test U.S.-bound ingredient exports to produce a safer, higher quality finished product that will meet increasingly higher import standards.
Stage Trade Missions and Trade Shows—NPA established an agreement with the China Chamber of Commerce to co-sponsor an annual expo in Beijing beginning in 2008. A trade mission from the United States will be developed to coincide with this expo.
Increase Online Communications—Establishment of a Chinese-language Web site will allow NPA to position itself as a resource and connection point for U.S. exporters and Chinese buyers. The Web site will link to relevant Chinese organizations and contain materials aimed at educating government officials as well as consumers about the benefits of dietary supplements. NPA member companies will be listed here, as well as information on trade shows, trade missions and the association’s supply chain management program. Information will be published in both Chinese and English and link back to the main NPA Web site (www.NaturalProductsAssoc.org).
WASHINGTON—The Natural Products Association (NPA) won a national competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) to expand its business in one of the world’s fastest growing markets, while also helping to safeguard the global supply chain for natural products. The $160,000 award, which will be matched with private sector funds, was granted as part of the annual Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP), which builds public/private partnerships by providing federal assistance to non-profit organizations like trade associations that are particularly effective in reaching small- and medium-size enterprises.
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