Over the last three and a half decades, Nature's Way has pioneered more than just herbal and nutritional science. The company is a recognized leader among all of the nutritional and dietary supplement companies in America. Our list of "firsts" is extensive, and many of them pioneered the way retailers, consumers, industry, competitors, and even government viewed herbal and nutritional supplements. Here are a few of the things of which we are the most proud:
- First nutritional products manufacturer with a state-of-the-art, pharmaceutically licensed facility
- First major certified organic producer
- First to bring significant European phytomedicines (plant based medicines) to market
- First to spend more than a million dollars on legislative efforts to protect health freedoms
- First industry recognized GMP (good manufacturing processes) facility
- First to fund major third party organizations to responsibly disseminate health information and ensure quality
Nature's Way has a rich tradition of giving back. The company's business success has translated to success outside of the day-to-day operation. Over the years, it has been done in various ways and in varying amounts, but the fundamental belief has not changed. The company is fortunate to operate in essentially a "green" industry, and causes from environmental protection to local community programs have been an important part of Nature's Way's mission. The projects over the years have included:
Founding donor of groups to protect the world's rain forests, with most of the successful work in Samoa and Southeast Asia.
- Vitamins for the poor in developing nations.
- Donations to fund raisers for breast cancer and other chronic diseases.
- Support for self reliance programs for the homeless in select western U.S. cities.
- Sponsorship effort to provide complete holiday support for local Latino children.
- Support for local youth and adult athletic leagues, including the Nature's Way women's soccer team.
GMP Certification Requirements
GMP certification ensures safe products. Good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their intention is protect consumers from purchasing goods that are not effective or dangerous to consumers' health and well-being. The goal of GMP is to ensure that products have consistent and controlled production according to quality standards. Companies must fulfill several requirements to get GMP certification.
1. Inspections
Companies must pass GMP inspections executed by national regulatory agencies. Passing the assessments and scrutiny are required for certification.
2. Assessment of Manufacturing Processes
Manufacturing processes are clearly defined and controlled. Processes involved in manufacturing the product require consistency to meet the quality standards set. All processes controlled and monitored regularly help the company determine flaws that hamper manufacturing. It helps analysts find solutions and correct them immediately.
3. Clear Instructions and Procedures
Company instructions and procedures are clear and unambiguous. All information provided by management must be simple and easy to understand. They must be clear, concise and precise for proper execution. Employees and quality specialists must understand all manufacturing procedures they are involved in. Knowledge of these things will help them perform tasks and duties completely and at par with standards set.
4. Skilled Operators
Operators of manufacturing equipment perform and document procedures. Employees assigned to perform operational tasks must write down and record their observations clearly and completely. This information is useful in assessing productivity, quality and efficiency. Data recorded manually or with the use of modern technology. such as computers, helps operators analyze and evaluate the processes of manufacturing regularly. This is necessary for process and quality improvement.
5. Review and Address Complaints about Products Produced
Company management examines complaints about the products in the market and recalls defective batches through an effective method. The company is liable for any inconsistencies or deficiencies in the products manufactured and released in the market. The organization must recall defective or dangerous products from the market immediately. Ensuring the safety of the consumers' health and well-being is must be paramount to the company.
GMP Certification Requirements by the World Health Organization (WHO)
A product certificate (COPP or TRS 823, 863) is a document certifying a specific product received an authorization for distribution in the consumer market and has passed quality standards set by the country where a company plans to distribute it. It ensures that the product or service meets standards and specific purposes for its production. WHO issues a COPP when the product in question is under consideration for a product license that will authorize its importation and sale. Administrative action is required for renewal, extension, variation or review of such a license. Other documents needed are statement of licensing status (TRS 823, 863), and batch certificate (TRS 823, 863) for WHO GMP certification.
