GMP Certificate on the Wall Isn't Enough: 5 Things Importers Should Actually Verify

Every supplier says "GMP certified." Few buyers know what to check beyond the certificate on the wall. After a decade of export operations, here's the verification list we'd use if we were buying from a competitor.

1. Match the Certificate Scope, Not Just the Logo

A GMP certificate covers a specific facility and product scope. A factory certified for food supplements might not hold scope for softgel encapsulation. Ask: "Does this certificate's scope cover the exact dosage form I'm ordering?"

2. Request a Recent Batch COA — Before Ordering

Any serious manufacturer produces COAs continuously. Ask for the COA of a recent production batch (not a "sample COA" document). Check: does it test the actives you care about, at meaningful specifications?

3. Ask for Retained-Sample Policy

Quality factories retain physical samples of every batch for the full shelf life. This matters when a dispute arises eight months later — retained samples settle it in days.

4. Third-Party Testing Arrangements

Can the supplier ship to your designated lab (SGS, Eurofins) before release? A factory confident in its quality welcomes this; a factory hiding behind "our internal tests" is telling you something.

5. Documentation Completeness for Your Market

US-bound: FDA facility registration and supplement facts panels. EU-bound: novel food status awareness. Middle East: halal documentation. Ask for a complete doc pack before your first order, not after your goods reach customs.