We are hearing many concerns from CRN members about the challenges of complying with new retailer-imposed certification programs. CRN staff has been in touch with several retailers about their programs to learn as much about them as they will share and to encourage these retailers to move toward developing harmonized standards, similar to those that have been developed by the Global Retailer & Manufacturers Alliance (GRMA) for manufacturing facility audits, rather than each using different approaches.
A number of retailers have already launched these programs or have indicated that they are planning to launch compliance programs that require companies that sell products through these retailers to undergo product testing for ingredients and contaminants. Examples of retailers that have these programs or have indicated they are developing a program are CVS, Walgreens, Wegmans, and Amazon.
To help CRN facilitate conversations with the retailers about harmonized standards, we are creating a Retailer Standards Working Group to create a forum where CRN members can discuss their concerns. The Retailer Standards Working Group will be open only to CRN voting members, with each member permitted one representative in order to keep the group small and focused on the concerns of manufacturers and suppliers. Please note that this working group is intended to be separate from the Retailer Relations Forum.
If you are interested in being a part of this group, please provide your contact information
here. CRN staff will be in touch regarding the first meeting. We are planning to kick-off the discussions for this working group with a webinar available to all CRN members tentatively scheduled for January 26, 1 to 3PM EST.
If you have questions about this working group or retailer compliance please reach-out to me.
Megan
