This document comprises New Hope Network’s exhibitor standards for NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO EAST and EXPO WEST and EXPO VIRTUAL online events referred to as “EXPOs” hereafter. This is a working document which is open at all times to industry comment and review. As producers of two major, national trade shows, New Hope Network has the responsibility to require minimum standards to exhibit at our EXPOs. It is our hope that these standards will become part of the overall effort to improve the quality and integrity of the natural products industry. Exhibitors are encouraged to review the entire document. Exhibitors should be aware that a signed contract incorporates their agreement to abide and adhere to the Exhibitor Standards. New Hope Network reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any company or product for inclusion in its trade shows.
With these standards, it is New Hope Network’s goal to enhance public health and safety, support industry self-regulation, improve the quality of natural products, and grow the industry in a responsible way. These standards also represent New Hope Network’s attempt to raise the level of integrity and professionalism of the EXPOs.
For the purposes of these Standards, NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPOs will distinguish between labels and labeling, and literature. Labels and labeling include all packaging and any promotional materials, brochures, websites or other written, verbal or visual materials used in the sale of the branded product. Literature is educational in nature and includes magazine articles, books and other printed, verbal or visual matter that may not be specific to the exhibitor’s branded product and is not physically attached to the product or product labeling.
Each subsection contains the minimum requirements exhibitors must meet to participate in the EXPOs. In the event an exhibitor standard is in conflict with an applicable government regulation, the government regulation will take precedent.
New Hope Network views these standards as part of the larger industry effort designed to improve the health of the American people, to ensure the accuracy of information provided, and the safety and integrity of promoted products. We intend to work with industry manufacturers, distributors, brokers and retailers in addition to trade associations and other organizations in a mutual effort to accomplish these goals.
This is a working document. Exhibitors are encouraged to review the entire document. Reserving a booth at our events represents your agreement to participate in our Exhibitor Standards Program. We want to emphasize that this document is a work in progress, open at all times to industry comment and review.
We encourage comments, suggestions and concerns from industry members and groups because it is our intention to provide standards that are fair, reasonable, concise and understandable. These standards will be updated and refined as necessary and will be appropriately revised to reflect the dynamic regulatory environment. Exhibitors will have ample time to correct any problems and respond to informational requests unless New Hope Network perceives a situation that truly compromises consumer safety or jeopardizes the industry's or New Hope Network's integrity. Please submit all questions or comments IN WRITING to New Hope Network, Standards Department, 5541 Central Avenue, Suite 150, Boulder, CO 80301 or email us at [email protected].
These standards are for NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO in-person and online events. Compliance with these standards does not exempt exhibitors from complying with applicable legal or industry standards set forth by governmental or trade organizations such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United Natural Products Alliance, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, or the American Herbal Products Association. In addition, these standards do not constitute an approval system. New Hope Network strives to collect and review all exhibit contents, but makes no guarantees that every potential deviation from these standards will be identified and communicated to exhibitors. Exhibitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all standards. New Hope Network reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any company or product for inclusion in its trade shows.
PURPOSE: To ensure the safety of products and services.
To ensure the truthfulness and accuracy of product statements.
To ensure substantiation and traceability of product statements.
To promote thorough understanding and knowledge of products and product statements.
To promote equal evaluation and comparison of like products.
To preserve the integrity and meaning of legitimate statements such as: “organically grown & certified organic,” “cruelty free,” “recycled” and “historical formula.”
In accordance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), and the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, dietary supplement, food and cosmetic products and their labeling must not claim to treat, prevent, mitigate, cure or reduce the risk of diseases, unless the product meets the federal requirements for use of an FDA-approved claim AND the complete language of the FDA-approved health claim is used on the labeling. The FDA considers that if a statement about a product or ingredient, claims to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent disease or if it has an effect on a specific disease, class of diseases or on the characteristic signs or symptoms of a disease, the product will be subject to regulation as a drug unless the claim is an authorized health claim for which the product qualifies.
All labels and labeling must be truthful and not misleading with respect to identification marks, seals and logos, and they must adequately comply with current FDA, USDA and/or EPA regulations to have them be eligible for exhibit at Natural Products Expo events.
New Hope Network reserves the right to request and collect product samples for analytical testing.
To ensure understandability and traceability of product literature*.
To promote equal evaluation and comparison of like products.
To ensure guarantees are fair and honored.
*Promotional materials and literature may not contain prohibited products (ex. vapes, prohibited artificial ingredients, etc.).
Exhibitors should not use fine print disclaimers to contradict other statements within product labeling or literature to clear up misimpressions that the labeling/literature information would leave otherwise.
To ensure EXPO attendees are not placed at risk by unsafe practices by exhibitors and are properly informed.
To ensure compliance with exhibit hall rules and local ordinances.
To encourage ethical behavior.