MAY 5, 2021
UNLOCKED FOR THE PUBLIC
CRN provides strategic opposition testimony in California, Massachusetts age restriction hearings
Skillful government relations, including productive engagement with opponents, is key to protecting supplements’ status in the states. CRN's Government Relations Committee and State Subcommittee met last week to discuss strategy on state age restriction proposals, including California AB 1341 and Massachusetts H 2331 and S 1525.
“CRN has a unique understanding and depth of knowledge on age restriction proposals,” CRN Government Relations State Subcommittee Chair Ingrid Lebert of Pharmavite noted. “CRN’s team is careful to respectfully engage those stakeholders we aim to educate, which takes strategic relationship building to ensure an open dialogue. When opposition assertions are delivered without consideration of stakeholder perspectives, it creates an additional hurdle for arriving at solutions to best serve consumers, retailers and industry.”
At last week’s California Judiciary Committee hearing, Tatum Ackler, with CRN California lobbying consultant Samson Advisors, emphasized appreciation for ongoing discussions with legislators and a commitment to work together, testifying in accord with comments from the American Herbal Products Association.
In contrast, other opposition comments drove Rep. Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) to express astonishment, noting they did not demonstrate adequate research into the eating disorder issues driving the proposal and prompting her to emphasize that, in her view, the legislation does not go far enough. "I don't appreciate the misinformation campaign," Rep. Gonzalez added, referring to assertions that the proposal would affect all supplements.
CRN Massachusetts consultant Robert Rodophele testified on Monday during a hearing of the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health. He emphasized CRN’s support of FDA cracking down on dangerous adulterated products at the federal level and drew a clear line separating these from legitimate dietary supplements marketed by responsible companies.
Rodophele urged consideration of the potential unintended consequences of driving buyers to disreputable sources if products are removed from store shelves, where they have more oversight. In addition, he noted that CRN is committed to working with the community on a path forward to assist efforts to combat the serious public health problem of eating disorders and body dysmorphia among young people.
Any CRN member can sign up for CRN's Government Relations Committee and State Subcommittee updates. Sign up through “Committee Preferences” on CRN's self-service portal. Learn more here. Then, download the “CRN Connect” app to receive updates and save committee meeting dates to your personal calendar.
CRN successfully petitions U.S., E.U. leaders for suspension of retaliatory tariffs
CRN represented the dietary supplement industry as one of 88 association coalition members to successfully advocate for the suspension of retaliatory tariffs connected to the World Trade Organization's (WTO) large civil aircraft disputes. In January, the group urged President Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to immediately remove these tariffs that negatively impacted industries unrelated to sectors involved in disputes.
Applauding this four-month suspension as a positive development, CRN and its fellow signatories encouraged Presidents Biden and von der Leyen to secure a permanent resolution to transatlantic trade disputes that create collateral damage for the dietary supplement industry and others. "The transatlantic relationship is of enormous economic importance to our sectors, and we are eager to see it protected and nurtured," the letter noted.
CRN is the sole association in the dietary supplement space to engage on this issue, which affects a wide range of industries and consumer goods that rely on transatlantic trade. As previously reported, CRN successfully advocated—twice—for the specific removal of such tariffs on essential oils and concentrates, resinoids, and extracted oleoresins.
Engage with CRN's International Trade & Market Development Committee (ITMDC) to learn more about the association's activities on this issue and others. Sign up through “Committee Preferences” on CRN's self-service portal. Learn more here.
Informa's Almendarez to speak at CRN's WellComms—register by May 17 for early-bird rate
Sandy Almendarez, senior content director, Informa Markets, is a featured panelist in the “Pitch Perfect” session at CRN's upcoming WellComms virtual conference, taking place June 16–17. An award-winning B2B magazine editor, she strategically leads a team of internationally recognized content specialists, guiding content development for media brands and trade shows, including Natural Products Insider, Food & Beverage Insider and SupplySide.
Hear from Almendarez in this recent "What's Up With Supps" podcast where she talks supplement regulation, probiotics and more. Don't miss learning more from this longtime industry expert along with other exciting speakers slated for WellComms, to be announced.
Register for WellComms by May 17 for early-bird rates. CRN members receive preferred rates, and group registrations are encouraged with 10% off for two or more registrations.