The Natural Products Association (NPA) is updating and tightening standards for products seeking to gain its “NPA Certified” seal by prohibiting the seal for goods containing certain synthetics. Since the program began in 2008, NPA has certified and authorized the seal for 1,700 products and ingredients. The tighter standards decided on by an NPA working group in June are part of the association’s goal to eventually remove all synthetic materials from its Natural Seal certification program.

“The NPA certification is the gold standard in our industry, and we are constantly looking for ways to keep it as strong as possible. This is a bold step that maintains our leadership position and gives consumers more confidence that the NPA seal means a product is truly natural,” said Dr. Dan Fabricant, executive director and CEO of NPA.

Earlier this year, the FDA began the first steps toward defining natural as it relates to certain food products. NPA, which has long called on the agency to take such action, has taken a leadership role in the rulemaking process, submitting official comments in May of this year.

“As FDA considers how to define ‘natural,’ which could take years, NPA’s Natural Seal program remains the only U.S.-based Natural Certification program that provides consumers and the industry with clear guidelines for natural products. We have urged the FDA to look closely at NPA’s program as it wrestles with this challenging issue,” continued Dr. Fabricant.

The ingredients that will no longer be allowed in any amount under the new standards include:

• Tropolone: A common synthetic preservative found in personal care products such as makeup. It was previously allowed in certified products except for products specifically intended for infants and breastfeeding mothers.
• Chlorphenisin: A common synthetic preservative found in topical products.

The NPA Natural Standard is constantly reviewed and updated as new research becomes available and as more truly natural alternatives become readily available. Previously, NPA had removed synthetic fragrances and only allows natural fragrances for products to be eligible to receive certification in the NPA Natural Standard for Personal and Home Care Products.

The list of certified products, ingredients and certification materials are available online.