U.S.-China HPA Hosts Board Meeting

ANAHEIM, Calif.The U.S.-China Health Products Association (HPA) held its inaugural board meeting on March 9 during Natural Products Expo West here. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce attended the meeting to discuss regulatory advocacy measures and business development activities for China, while board members looked at plans and activities for the coming year.

Shortly after the meeting, the association submitted an industry paper on China's dietary supplement industry to the U.S. International Trade Association, an agency of the Department of Commerce. The paper highlighted the association's priorities issues list for the ITA to use in its upcoming Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade" (JCCT) talks with China. The JCCT was established in 1983 as a forum for high-level dialogue on bilateral trade issues and a vehicle for promoting commercial relations. Its aim is to resolve problems affecting U.S. companies and serves as an umbrella for trade events and World Trade Organization (WTO) technical assistance programs.

Members of the nonprofit U.S.-China HPA include Derma-E, DSM, Green Foods, Jarrow Formulas, Lonza, New Hope Natural Media, NSF, TSI Group, Unigen and World Health Store; its newest member, K-max, joined in December 2011.