Launching TM Certification and Eco-labeling -- UK and China
IFAW and the Chinese Medicine Association of Suppliers (CMAS) in the
United Kingdom have come together as partners to work toward the common goal of
promoting the health and well-being of all species by employing protective
standards for the production of TM products.
We hope the standards will provide basic international guidelines that will
protect people and wildlife by providing safe TM products. Similar IFAW efforts
are underway in California where we are co-sponsoring legislation to establish a
statewide "Eco-labeling" certification program.
CMAS is an association of TM vendors in the UK that have organized to create a system of self-regulation in cooperation with relevant local government bodies and interested NGOs. IFAW and CMAS have set forth guidelines to protect biodiversity and provide quality and safety assurances.
In an effort to protect biodiversity, CMAS has proclaimed a policy of refusing to sell any products containing endangered species.
To this end, CMAS has designed a system of importation whereby all of their products are imported through a bonded warehouse facility that allows open access to Customs and CITES officials. This system provides a more efficient method of regulation for both businesses and government officials.
CMAS and the China Chamber of Commerce of Medicines and Health Products Importers and Exporters (the Chamber) signed a memorandum of cooperation in January 2002 to implement a certification scheme for traditional medicine products.
Known as the "Green Label" in China and the "Kitemark Scheme" in the UK, the program meets the requirements of the Chamber's Green Trade Standards of Importing and Exporting Medicinal Plants and Preparations, as well as the standards of the Medicines Control Agency of the UK Department of Health.
These twin standards are designed to ensure consistently high safety and quality for TM products. The certification program will also comply with the regulations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
There are two stages to this program; the first focuses on certifying raw herbs and the second stage will cover patented TM products. The Chamber, CMAS, and other partners will manage the scheme as a Trust.
Dr Henry Lee, Chairman of CMAS, explained that this agreement signals a new dawn in the history of traditional medicines.
He also acknowledged that this initiative for the provision of safe, quality and sustainable TM products would not have been possible without the tremendous support of IFAW, which enabled CMAS to promote the concept to government organizations and major TM stakeholders.
CMAS is an association of TM vendors in the UK that have organized to create a system of self-regulation in cooperation with relevant local government bodies and interested NGOs. IFAW and CMAS have set forth guidelines to protect biodiversity and provide quality and safety assurances.
In an effort to protect biodiversity, CMAS has proclaimed a policy of refusing to sell any products containing endangered species.
To this end, CMAS has designed a system of importation whereby all of their products are imported through a bonded warehouse facility that allows open access to Customs and CITES officials. This system provides a more efficient method of regulation for both businesses and government officials.
CMAS and the China Chamber of Commerce of Medicines and Health Products Importers and Exporters (the Chamber) signed a memorandum of cooperation in January 2002 to implement a certification scheme for traditional medicine products.
Known as the "Green Label" in China and the "Kitemark Scheme" in the UK, the program meets the requirements of the Chamber's Green Trade Standards of Importing and Exporting Medicinal Plants and Preparations, as well as the standards of the Medicines Control Agency of the UK Department of Health.
These twin standards are designed to ensure consistently high safety and quality for TM products. The certification program will also comply with the regulations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
There are two stages to this program; the first focuses on certifying raw herbs and the second stage will cover patented TM products. The Chamber, CMAS, and other partners will manage the scheme as a Trust.
Dr Henry Lee, Chairman of CMAS, explained that this agreement signals a new dawn in the history of traditional medicines.
He also acknowledged that this initiative for the provision of safe, quality and sustainable TM products would not have been possible without the tremendous support of IFAW, which enabled CMAS to promote the concept to government organizations and major TM stakeholders.
