Alliance of PL manufacturers and retail partners establish VMS production standards

 ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance, an organization of private label manufacturers and retailers, on Wednesday announced it will be publishing the first ANSI-approved standards for the production of dietary supplements this spring, with additional standards for beauty products, OTC medicines and medical devices to come this fall.



“We’ve had tremendous participation from store brand retailers, manufacturers, trade associations and certification bodies,” said Casey Coy, interim manager of the GRMA.



The GRMA’s new ANSI-approved standard for GMP audits will be unique – including audit requirements, audit processes and requirements for certification bodies. 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.



Major retailers, manufacturers, trade associations and certification bodies began working together as the GRMA in 2014 – using the ANSI standard development process to develop a consensus-based American National Standard for GMPs in the dietary supplement industry.



All third-party certifiers will be able to certify to the new ANSI-approved standards.



The GRMA initiative currently includes more than 20 major retailers in the grocery, drug, mass merchandiser and club store channels, representing U.S.-based and international operations. Over 100 representatives from store brand retailers, manufacturers, trade associations, certification bodies, academia, government and industry consultants are participating in GRMA activities. 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).