The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) has signed a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement with the Phoenix-based Hemp Industries Association (HIA) in an effort to advance hemp extract product research, safety, identity, and quality standards. The agreement recognizes that such cooperation between the dietary supplement and hemp industries will advance consumer confidence, industry standards, and regulatory compliance.

As part of the agreement, the two organizations will cooperate on Food Safety Modernization Act, Good Manufacturing Practice Section 111, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and Foreign Supplier Verification Programs training and education.
 
HIA is a supporting partner to help promote UNPA’s upcoming educational training, Preventive Controls for Foods, Dietary Supplements and Botanically Derived Products and Ingredients, which includes hemp and hemp-oil ingredients and products, being held June 26-28, in Denver.

Additionally, UNPA and HIA plan to participate in seminars, workshops, and retreats on subject matter relevant to the hemp industry and exchange information, newsletters, and correspondence to inform each other of news, events, and related information.

“UNPA has spent a great amount of time and energy evaluating appropriate relationships within the hemp and cannabis community,” said Loren Israelsen, UNPA president. “Organizationally, we wanted to better understand the fundamentals of the hemp industry, including farming, processing, and extraction systems. UNPA fully supports the movement to hemp and its many uses. The health benefits and consumer interest in hemp extracts, CBD, and the other cannabinoids have become an important part of our work.
 
“This MOU with the Hemp Industries Association advances these interests as the dietary supplement and hemp industries become allies in the commercial sector, as well as within regulatory, farm, and foreign policy areas. We hope to help the hemp industry in its efforts to be fully compliant with food and supplement regulations, and to share our expertise in good manufacturing practices and quality compliance. We think this sharing of resources and expertise will add value for both organizations and both industries.”

“On behalf of the HIA and its leadership, I am thrilled that UNPA qualifies our association for this important partnership,” said Colleen Keahey Lanier, HIA executive director. “HIA members deserve to have the best information and training available to them. We look forward to sharing more information about the hemp industries, learning from UNPA and also advancing agreed-upon initiatives along the way.” 

Uniquely, UNPA organizes its key objectives and work plans through a series of MOUs with more than 20 U.S. and international trade and non-profit organizations, academic institutions and other groups that bring expertise, influence and trusted reputations. By laying out its joint objectives via an MOU, UNPA is able to serve the needs of its members and its industry stakeholders with greatest effect and efficiency.