UNPA Membership Policies and Criteria
The quality and compliance criteria laid out below form the basis of UNPA’s membership criteria for both new and current Executive-level members, effective Nov. 15, 2019. (Science, Technology, and Professional Services-level members may join under UNPA’s current general membership policies.)
Applicants that grow, manufacture, extract or sell hemp extract/cannabinoid ingredients and products are also subject to the additional criteria, found below*.
Please note that this document may be updated at any time. Please visit unpa.com for the latest version of the UNPA Executive Membership Policy Criteria, which reflects the membership criteria in effect as of its issuance date.
- Membership Vetting: UNPA will accept companies as Executive members that meet the following criteria:
- Compliance Assessment
- Website Review
- UNPA Staff & Executive Committee Review & Vetting
UNPA will accept companies as Science, Technology & Professional Services members that meet the following criteria:
- UNPA Staff Review & Vetting
2. DSHEA Labeling / Claims Compliance
- To the best of the applicant’s knowledge: Labels and labeling (including packaging, printed literature, websites, social media, etc.) are in compliance with DSHEA dietary supplement or food labeling requirement under CFR Part 101-Food Labeling including Supplements Facts or Nutrition Facts panels.
- If Labels are out of compliance, UNPA will advise recommended changes. For additional information regarding food and supplement labels and allowable claims, see the FDA document titled A Food Labeling Guide Guidance for Industry. This FDA reference includes guidance regarding health, nutrient content, qualified health, and structure/function claims.
3. UNPA No Sale List
- Confirmation of compliance with current UNPA “No Sale List” (see below)
4. Use of UNPA Logo
- The use of the UNPA member logo is subject to a Terms of Use Agreement.
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- The UNPA Member logo is the only UNPA logo authorized for use by UNPA member companies. UNPA encourages member companies to use this logo on member company websites, letterhead, brochures and promotional and product materials. However, the UNPA member company logo may not appear on any product labels. Companies that are no longer members of UNPA must remove these logos from any company materials immediately. The use of the UNPA member logo implies UNPA member company agreement and compliance with these Terms of Use.
5. Non-Disclosure Agreement
- To protect the confidential information or disclosures of both parties, Executive members and/or applicants and UNPA agree to abide by a non-disclosure agreement. A non-disclosure agreement is included in the membership application form.
6. Parent, Sister, Subsidiary
- If there is one company within the organization paying full membership dues rate, additional parent, sister, and subsidiary companies that join as new UNPA members will receive a 50% discount on the current member dues rate. These companies will receive the full benefits of the membership category.
7. Discontinuation of Membership
- Requires a 30-day written email notice to the Sr. Director of Member Services and Events, Kira Olsen. Please send to kira@unpa.com.
Applicants that grow, manufacture, extract or sell hemp extract/cannabinoid products are also subject to the following additional criteria:
While efforts at the state and federal level to clarify the legal status of hemp extract and cannabinoid products continue, UNPA believes it is in the interest of consumers, health professionals, and relevant industries to establish a framework of practices and compliance standards for HEC products.
Consequently, UNPA will accept hemp extract/cannabinoid (HEC) companies as Executive members, whose principal business is the growing, manufacture, extraction, sale, and/or distribution of HEC ingredients labeled as a dietary supplement, food, beverage, and cosmetic products that meet these additional criteria:
8. Hemp-Derived Only
- From Cannabis Sativa L. with less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). No sale of synthetic (chemical or synthetic biology) cannabinoids or other constituents of the hemp plant.
9. Not Intended for Inhalation
- UNPA members may not sell HEC products intended for inhalation in the United States.
*UNPA No Sale List
In its ongoing efforts to support the sale of safe and responsible products, UNPA has enacted the following trade policies as conditions of membership for prospective and all current UNPA members.
“As we have done before with our other no-sale policies, we’re committed to moving quickly to define the boundaries of responsible practices within the industry,” said Loren Israelsen, UNPA president. “UNPA will continue to do so as circumstances warrant.”
- Effective Nov. 15, 2019: No UNPA member will engage in the sale of products that contain dietary ingredients intended for direct inhalation.
- Effective Nov. 15, 2019: No UNPA member will engage in the manufacture, sale or distribution of foods or dietary supplements containing undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).
- Effective Nov. 15, 2019: No UNPA member will engage in the sale of phenibut.
- Effective Nov. 15, 2019: No UNPA member will engage in the sale of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMS).
- Effective September 19, 2019, no UNPA member will engage in the sale of synthetic (chemical or synthetic biology) cannabinoids or other constituents of the hemp plant.
- Effective May 22, 2018, no UNPA member will engage in the sale of liquid, high-dose caffeine products for retail sales.
- Effective April 9, 2015, no UNPA member will engage in the sale of β-methylphenethylamine (BMPEA).
- Effective Feb. 24, 2015, no UNPA member will engage in the sale of bulk-powdered caffeine for retail sales.
- Effective May 1, 2014, UNPA members will not engage in the sale, distribution or marketing of any products that contain kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) for human use or consumption.
- Effective May 1, 2013, no UNPA member will engage in the sale of 1,3-dimethylamylamine, methylhexanamine or geranium extract, commonly known as DMAA or any chemically related substance.
- Effective May 1, 2005, UNPA members will not engage in the sale, distribution or marketing of any products containing ephedra or ma huang (Ephedra sinica) at any dose.
For a UNPA membership application or for questions or assistance with this document, please contact Kira Olsen, UNPA Director of Member Services & Events, 801.474.2572, kira@unpa.com.
