What It Means To Be GMP-Certified & Why It's Important

📝 Medically reviewed by Dr. Patricia Shelton

🔍 Last updated August 12, 2024

📚 2 citations

📖 5 minute read

About the Author:

Dr. Patricia Shelton, MD, has been a medical communicator and educator since 2014. She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, both from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Have you seen the term "GMP Certified" listed on a product label or brand website? GMP, or "good manufacturing practices," is a system that ensures manufactured products adhere to established quality standards. Quality control is an essential part of ethical business practices and is crucial in the wellness and pharmaceutical industry. At Natural Cure Labs, our dietary supplements are produced in cGMP facilities with clean label formulas.

What Is GMP?

GMP stands for "good manufacturing practice." A GMP certification shows that a product was made in a facility where the manufacturer has been trained on rigorous standards, adheres to all necessary quality control standards, and has successfully passed an audit from a certification authority.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established GMP regulations to reduce the risks associated with producing goods, such as pharmaceuticals and supplements. GMP certification is important because it helps companies prevent errors, contamination, and mixups that could lead to dangerous or ineffective products.

GMP can also be referred to as cGMP, which stands for "current good manufacturing practice." This simply ensures that the manufactures are employing the most recent systems to adhere to regulations.

Products manufactured in a GMP-certified facility help provide the transparency and reassurance that many modern-day consumers are seeking.

Examples of GMP Guidelines

To be GMP-certified, a facility needs to adhere to GMP regulations and quality standards. These quality standards cover things like cleanliness, sanitation, testing, record keeping, and more.

There must be clearly detailed written procedures for each step of the manufacturing process. This documented proof shows that products are made with care and consistency. This ensures that there are no potential oversights that could affect the quality of the finished product.

GMP guidelines may affect the following, depending on the facilities and processes:

The cleanliness of the equipment, premises, and tools.
The personal hygiene of staff.
The identification and storage of waste.
The training provided to employees.
The adequate maintenance of equipment and tools.
The use of chemicals within the facility, including cleaning solutions, machine lubricants, and pest control chemicals.
The construction and layout of the premises.

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What It Takes to Be GMP Certified

GMP certification applies to many sectors, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and biotechnology. However, the requirements vary by industry, with medicines subject to the strictest rules for patient safety.

GMP regulations cover a range of issues, including

Record keeping
Personnel qualifications
Sanitation and cleanliness
Equipment verification
Process validation
Complaint handling

To obtain GMP certification, companies must undergo a thorough audit of their operations, which may include analyzing quality systems, computer systems, and manufacturing facilities. Equipment logs and personnel records may also be reviewed.

Companies that fail to comply with GMP regulations may face serious consequences, such as fines, jail time, or recall or seizure of their products.

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Why Being GMP Certified Matters

Obtaining a GMP certification is of the utmost importance for manufacturers and producers of supplements. Most consumers cannot determine the safety or efficacy of a supplement simply by looking at the product, as there’s no way for them to tell what’s inside a capsule or tablet.

When supplements are purchased online, consumers can't smell, touch, or see the product before purchase, nor can they determine beforehand if it will work. To help solve these issues, a GMP certification provides some of the insight and transparency that all consumers seek.

A GMP certification gives manufacturers a universal and standardized reputation as a trustworthy and responsible facility. It shows that the products they make are produced with care and attention.

The Bottom Line

GMP-certified facilities have established strong quality management systems that ensure the purification of a final product. A GMP certification shows consumers that the product they are about to buy was made following good manufacturing practices.

At Natural Cure Labs, all of our health supplements are made in GMP-certified facilities with premium ingredients. Our researched-backed supplements are fully blended, bottled, and formulated in the United States and are designed to support immune health and digestive function.

"I will continue to take this product. It has helped my overall health and other issues! It is pure and simple! I recommend this product to family and friends!"

Rita F. on July 10, 2024 | Monolaurin Extra Strength

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References

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Facts About the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP). Retrieved on August 1, 2024, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/facts-about-current-good-manufacturing-practice-cgmp
NSF. GMP Certification. Retrieved on August 1, 2024, from https://www.nsf.org/nutrition-personal-care/gmp-certification.

‡ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Natural Cure Labs provides dietary supplements made from naturally derived ingredients. Our research-backed products contain premium botanicals and antioxidants that encourage healthy living and holistic wellness. Each high-quality product comes with a Clean Label that certifies our commitment to quality, transparency, and research. To stay connected and learn more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.