Industrial Laboratories (IL), a Denver-based independent analytical and consulting company for the natural products industry, has established a botanical methods validation program (MVP). According to Loretta Zapp, president of IL, "There is a great need in the industry for peer validation programs to make consistent, reliable methods of analyzing botanicals available to the industry."

The initial scope of the MVP is to peer validate methods for fifteen botanicals. An advisory committee will be established, made up of a representative from each sponsoring company, plus representatives from independent testing laboratories, academia, consulting firms, and associations. The role of the advisory committee will be to direct the validation program: to review and recommend appropriate methods, standards, and validation protocol, and to direct spending of resources.

Article copyright American Botanical Council.

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By Barbara A. Johnston