Advocacy

AHPA advocates the U.S. Congress; state governments; FDA; FTC; USDA; FWS; NIH; NCCIH; U.S. Pharmacopeia and others for effective laws and regulations that promote the responsible commerce of herbal products.

News

AHPA informs members and the industry about news and issues through daily email alerts and a monthly newsletter. AHPA also promotes the benefits of herbs to mainstream and industry media as well as scientific journals.

Events

AHPA regularly produces in-person and online educational events featuring industry-leading experts discussing regulatory and technical issues that impact the herbal product industry. 

Resource Library

AHPA provides guidance documents, policies, trade requirement, and reference materials to help members comply with the herbal industry laws and regulations.

Latest News

  • Blog Article Image

    February 4, 2025 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) extends great appreciation to the following member companies for their generous contributions as 2025 AHPA Annual Fund Sponsors: Alkemist Labs, Botanic Tonics, Eurofins, Jiaherb, Mountain Rose Herbs, Nammex, RT Specialty, HP Ingredients, Mineralife, Mueggenburg USA, Nuherbs, and Pacific Botanicals. In addition, AHPA President Michael McGuffin has personally donated $10,000 to the annual fund, reinforcing his dedication to AHPA's mission and the broader herbal industry.   "I am honored to join this incredible group of sponsors in supporting AHPA's mission and the herbal products industry," said McGuffin. "Their generosity ensures AHPA can continue its vital work advocating for our industry, and I am grateful to stand alongside them in this effort."   Support for the annual fund ensures that AHPA can continue advocating for the highest quality standards, promoting industry best practices, and protecting consumer access to herbal products and dietary supplements. To learn more and support the AHPA Annual Fund, please contact Amber Bennett, VP of Marketing & Engagement, at abennett@ahpa.org.

    • Tuesday, February 4, 2025
    • | Posted by AHPA
  • Blog Article Image

    February 4, 2025 Comments focus on white sage and American ginseng    The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has submitted comments in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Federal Register notice (89 FR. 105074-105089) issued on December 26, 2024, announcing the twentieth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP20) scheduled to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on November 24-December 5, 2025. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international treaty that oversees international trade in endangered species.   In this Federal Register notice, FWS responded to recommendations received from the public concerning proposed amendments to the CITES Appendices (species listing proposals) that the United States might submit for consideration at CoP20, and invited comments and information relevant to these proposals. The Notice includes a list of plant and animal species and proposed actions of “likely,” “unlikely,” or “undecided” on whether FWS will submit a species listing proposal for consideration at CoP20.   AHPA's comments focused on two botanical species for which FWS indicated a currently “undecided” position – white sage (Salvia apiana) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), which is currently listed in CITES Appendix II. For both of these botanicals, FWS has expressed the intent to conduct further outreach to other range states, as well as consideration of additional recommendations, trade analyses, or biological information on the species in question prior to finalizing a U.S. position for the CoP20 meeting.   Regarding white sage, FWS is considering whether to propose that this herb be added to CITES Appendix II, the second highest and most common level of CITES control. AHPA noted that multiple interested parties had submitted substantive information regarding the potential need to monitor international trade of this species through a CITES listing, due to illegal harvest, habitat encroachment, and increasing international trade demand. In its comments, AHPA provided information reported for white sage for it 2021-2023 tonnage survey, which is in the final stages of editing prior to publication. AHPA invites any of its members with an interest in white sage to provide specific information on its conservation status and potential need for protection during international trade for the FWS's consideration.   For American ginseng, FWS indicates it is evaluating two potential proposals. The first is a suggestion to transfer American ginseng from its current Appendix II listing to Appendix I, the highest level of CITES control. AHPA strongly objects to this potential proposal as no documentation has been provided that the species meets the requirements for an Appendix I listing. The second potential action is to amend the current annotation to the American ginseng listing to allow for an exemption for cultivated American ginseng that is packaged for retail trade when it enters international commerce. Such an exemption is provided for several other CITES listed species, such as Rhodiola spp.   The December 26, 2024 Federal Register notice was the second in a series of public comment opportunities that FWS provides in preparation for CITES CoP meetings. FWS will also conduct a public meeting 2-3 months prior to the CoP meeting to provide the public with another opportunity to shape the U.S. positions on CITES listing proposals to be reviewed at CoP20. More information about the U.S. preparations for CoP20 can be found on the FWS website. AHPA holds the position of authorized observer with CITES and has been directly involved with official activities of the international treaty since 2002, ensuring the interests of AHPA members are represented given that CITES listing of plant species have a direct impact on manufacturers and marketers of products containing these botanicals as ingredients. AHPA's CITES primer provides an understanding of the processes and practices that must be followed to be in compliance when importing and exporting CITES-listed species.

    • Tuesday, February 4, 2025
    • | Posted by AHPA
  • Blog Article Image

    February 3, 2025   Recent press announcements breaking at the time of publication report an agreement by the US to "pause" tariffs on Canada for 30 days. The announcement follows a similar 30 day pause agreement with Mexico.    A pair of federal register notices (Canada, China) have entered prepublication implementing the tariffs. These notices include tariff codes which companies with goods in transit at the time tariffs enter effect tomorrow, February 4, can use to exempt such goods from the new tariff regimes. The notice regarding Canadian tariffs may be rescinded in light of the announced pause; affected companies should continue to monitor this rapidly evolving situation.

    • Monday, February 3, 2025
    • | Posted by AHPA
  • Blog Article Image

    February 3, 2025   Mexico tariffs subject to one month "pause"   The Trump administration has announced additional broad-spectrum tariffs on goods entering the country from Canada, China, and Mexico. Per press announcements, goods coming from China are subject to an additional 10% tariff, while goods from Canada and Mexico are subject to an additional 25% tariff. The stated purpose of these tariffs is to encourage the affected countries to halt illegal immigration and the flow of illicit drugs such as fentanyl into the United States.    Canada has announced the institution of a retaliatory set of tariffs subject to phased implementation. While the executive orders announcing the tariffs state that they will enter effect February 4, the Mexican and American leadership has just announced a one month pause in the implementation of the tariffs on Mexico pending further negotiations.   The executive orders announcing the tariffs refer to a federal register notice, issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security, which implements the tariffs through changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Per the executive order, this federal register notice would explain how companies with goods in transit at the time of the effective date may be exempt from the tariffs on those goods by certifying their status to Customs and Border Protection. As of Monday morning, this notice has not been published or scheduled for publication.   The specific elements of the announced tariffs continue to develop rapidly. AHPA encourages members with questions regarding the current state of the tariffs to contact Robert Marriott, Director of Regulatory Affairs, by email at rmarriott@ahpa.org.

    • Monday, February 3, 2025
    • | Posted by AHPA
View All News >

Events

View Calendar >
AHPA appreciates the support of its sponsors, but does not endorse, recommend, or provide a warranty for any sponsor company, its products or services.
AHPA has no responsibility for any transaction entered into with any of these companies.