Although we are not a government entity, USP standards are recognized in U.S. law, and USP works closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop its standards. USP standards are published in the United States Pharmacopeia, which is recognized as an “official compendia” in the U.S. and used in more than 140 countries worldwide.
Since 1994, dietary supplements have been explicitly regulated as a category of foods, which means that they do not require FDA approval before they are marketed. Dietary supplement manufacturers are responsible for making sure the supplements they sell are of quality and safe for consumers.
When it comes to vitamins and other dietary supplements, many consumers and healthcare practitioners look for independent oversight from a third party, preferably a fully independent organization not associated with the manufacturer and with the necessary expertise to assess quality.
With a history of helping to ensure medicine quality, USP is uniquely positioned to verify dietary supplements through its rigorous testing and auditing process.
