Congressional Task Force to explore VMS regulations in Puerto Rico, NPA reports

WASHINGTON – A new Congressional Task Force will investigate the impact of Puerto Rico’s regulations on the dietary supplement and natural products industry, the Natural Products Association reported Wednesday. This comes as part of the federal government’s efforts under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act.



"Due to the efforts of the NPA and its allies in Congress, the Task Force will examine the economic impact of Administrative Order 346, which created extensive new fees and regulations for retailers and distributors of natural products in Puerto Rico," the association stated.



“This rule is arbitrary, unnecessary and potentially damaging to consumers and economic growth in Puerto Rico,” added Daniel Fabricant, CEO and executive director of NPA. “This policy increases prices on the island for vitamins and natural products, which hurts consumers and low income people the hardest. NPA looks forward to working with the task force," he said. "NPA is optimistic that the report will encourage the federal government to remove economic impediments that keep Puerto Ricans from enjoying the extensive health benefits of dietary supplements and other natural products.”



NPA worked closely with members of the House Natural Resources Committee, including Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., to  attach language to PROMESA requiring the Task Force to examine Puerto Rico’s AO 346 as part of its analysis of Puerto Rico’s economic woes.



Last week, House and Senate leaders announced appointments of eight members to the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in Puerto Rico.. The Task Force will issue a report on Puerto Rico’s economic status and recommendations going forward by the end of the year.



Members of the newly formed bipartisan Task Force include:

• 
  Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah;


• 
  Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.;


• 
  Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.;


• 
  Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.;


• 
  Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis.;


• 
  Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J.;


• 
  Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y.; and


• 
  Rep. Pedro Pierluisi, D-Puerto Rico.