The International Association of Natural Product Producers has put together draft Criteria & Guidelines for positioning ingredients and labeling products as natural, so that those who wish to differentiate themselves from the companies selling synthetics, can do so with increased credibility and instill confidence in the consumer that at least to Members of the IANPP..."Natural" really should mean something!

IANPP Definition of Natural Ingestible Ingredients

Natural food/supplement ingredients:

Must be derived from natural (non-synthetic/man-made) and/or recognized food sources such as plants, inorganic minerals, and animals. Any changes to the original natural ingredient must not undergo changes in one or more covalent bonds during manufacturing and/or processing.
Must be fully disclosed and documented regarding ingredient derivation and method of processing.
Are not artificially/synthetically derived and/or processed ingredients such as artificial/synthetic:
- Additives, colorings, coloring agents, flavorings, preservatives, antibiotics, hormones, processing aids, carriers, GMOs, synthetically derived and/or processed contaminants from packaging, and other non-natural ingredients.
- Synthetic is defined as a substance not derived from natural sources with biological and/or accepted food processing/handling techniques.
Are processed with non-synthetic (natural) methods. Solvents must be found in nature, and the processing method must not introduce anything that is not naturally derived.
- Acceptable methods include cleaning, dehydrating, drying, filtering, cold pressing, grinding, chopping, natural water/alcohol extraction, roasting, heating, enzyme treatments, fermentation, hydrolysis, extraction with natural solvents, expeller pressing (oils), steam distillation, supercritical CO2 extraction, baking, mixing, separating, cutting, evaporating, freezing.
- Unacceptable methods include:
  - Gamma Ray Irradiation
    - ACCEPTABLE: Preservation by thermal, sound, or photochemical methods (microwave, ultrasound, UV, infrared).
    - NOT ACCEPTABLE: Preservation by nuclear or thermo-nuclear methods.
  - Synthetic solvent extraction
  - Hydrogenation (creates unhealthful ingredients)
The IANPP definition of natural is intended to specifically define what constitutes natural. Other considerations such as safety, allergies, toxicity, animal testing, socially responsible packaging and business practices (fair trade, third world projects, responsible use and ingredient disposal, cooperative work environment), respect for endangered species, biodegradability/environmental friendliness, environmentally protective methods of production, etc., are not included in this definition. The definition, at this time, is voluntary and is not intended to be a legal definition enforceable by any government or non-government agency.

IANPP Definition of Natural Topical Ingredients

Natural topical ingredients are:

Derived (originate) from natural sources (not synthetic/man-made), including plant, animal, and inorganic mineral sources. Any changes to the original natural ingredient must not undergo changes in one or more covalent bonds during manufacturing and/or processing.
Processed with non-synthetic (natural) methods. Solvents must be found in nature (originate from plant, animal or inorganic mineral sources), and the processing method must not introduce anything that is not of natural derivation:
- Synthetic is defined as a substance not derived from natural sources with biological and/or accepted food processing/handling techniques.
- Acceptable methods include cleaning, dehydrating, drying, filtering, cold pressing, grinding, chopping, natural water/alcohol extraction, roasting, heating, enzyme treatments, fermentation, hydrolysis, extraction with natural solvents, expeller pressing (oils), steam distillation, supercritical CO2 extraction, baking, mixing, separating, cutting, evaporating, freezing.
- Unacceptable methods include:
  - Gamma Ray Irradiation
    - ACCEPTABLE: Preservation by thermal, sound, or photochemical methods (microwave, ultrasound, UV, infrared).
    - NOT ACCEPTABLE: Preservation by nuclear or thermo-nuclear methods.
  - Synthetic solvent extraction
Not artificially/synthetically derived and/or processed ingredients such as artificial/synthetic:
- additives, colorings, coloring agents, preservatives, antibiotics, hormones, processing aids, carriers, synthetically derived and/or processed contaminants from packaging, GMO’s or other non-natural ingredients.
Be fully disclosed and documented regarding ingredient derivation and method of processing.
Include the words “preserved with” on the label regarding preservative ingredients.

The IANPP definition of natural is intended to specifically define what constitutes natural. Other considerations such as safety, allergies, toxicity, animal testing, socially responsible packaging and business practices (fair trade, third world projects, responsible use and ingredient disposal, cooperative work environment), respect for endangered species, biodegradability/environmental friendliness, environmentally protective methods of production, etc., are not included in this definition. The definition, at this time, is voluntary and is not intended to be a legal definition enforceable by any government or non-government agency.