Quality standards and technical specifications vary
greatly between the different industries within which natural
products may be sold. However, some raw materials may have several
end-uses and be used as ingredients in different industries. Most
standards apply to the production and handling within the import
markets, hence they are of less direct relevance to the stage of
collection/cultivation and drying. Most relevant standards for this
stage are those of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The Codex
Alimentarius Commission (www.codexalimentarius.org) has published
several documents on relevant good agricultural practices. Also,
the Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for Medicinal
Plants, published by the World Health Organisation, WHO,
(www.who.org) is of particular relevance. The standard concerns the
cultivation and collection of medicinal plants and include certain
post-harvest operations. It is the first step in quality assurance,
on which the safety and efficacy of herbal medicinal products
directly depend. While Good Agricultural Practices are relevant at
the pre-harvest level and during drying and storage, Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are relevant during the processing
and distribution of various products. GMP is of particular
relevance for ingredients for use in the medicines and cosmetics
industries. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
system is of particular interest for natural ingredients for use in
the food industry. It is an all-encompassing integrated food safety
management system that is used to identify and control hazards
within the production and processing system. A HACCP system should
be built on sound GAPs and GMPs. GMPs and HACCP are to some degree
extended to producers of starting materials. In addition to these
general standards, many importers may have their own technical and
product quality specifications that suppliers will have to comply
with. Those may be specified in Material safety data sheets and
technical data sheets and contain standards for chemical and
physical properties, content of mycotoxins and microbiology, active
substances, etc., depending on the end use of the products. Those
standards will also reflect legal and market requirements in
relevant markets. Potential buyers are likely to ask for product
samples, which they will have quality tested. Exporters should be
able to provide detailed information about their products, and
provide consistent and reliable product quality. The series of ISO
9000 is an example of a quality management system to be implemented
in an organization. More information is available at www.iso.org.
Although suppliers of raw natural products often are not obliged to
get certified against these standards, those that do will have a
competitive advantage. |