Largest US co-op opts for NPA standard
In a letter sent out to its suppliers, the retailer stated that all its vendors and manufacturers of personal care products must comply with NPA standards for natural ingredients.
The NPA has devised a strict set of criteria for natural personal care ingredients in an effort to define exactly what is natural as a means of preventing substances that are not strictly natural creeping into such products.
Reacting to consumer trend
The natural and organic personal care category has grown tremendously in recent years as consumers increasingly opt for products that are deemed to have a lower risk of toxicity, something that is more often associated with synthetic ingredients.
However, until the introduction of tighter natural and organic standards, many personal care ingredients have been able to pass off synthetic ingredients and petroleum-based ingredients as natural, leaving consumers confused.
“By requiring our personal care products to comply with the NPA Natural Standard, we are adding another layer of scrutiny to our already stringent product procurement criteria,” said Wendy McLain, PCC’s health and beauty merchandiser.
Deadline of January 2010
McLain also outlined the fact that PCC has given its personal care product suppliers until January 2010 to comply with the NPA standards.
“After that [date], any personal care product not covered by a signed agreement may be discontinued,” McLain added.
The agreement means that compliance with the NPA standard is squared with the suppliers, and also stipulates that the suppliers must keep apace with any changes to the certification and incorporate them accordingly.
