Acupuncture Herbal Vendor Coalition

Your Industry Partners!

Category: Policy

  • Strengthening Alliances

    We are pleased to join the AHM Coalition as its newest partner organization!

    Logos of various organizations within the Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Coalition, including CCAHM, ACAHM, American Society of Acupuncturists, AHVC, and NCBAHM, with a central emblem featuring a plant and acupuncture needle.

    The mission of the AHVC is to present our unified view on critical issues impacting acupuncture and herbal business practices affecting this vital industry, while continuing to support the stability and growth of the profession at large.

    According to an AHM spokesperson, our inclusion brings an important industry perspective that complements the AHM Coalition’s existing representation of education, accreditation, certification, and professional practice through its founding members ICCAHM, ACAHM, NCCAOM, and the ASA.

    We’re happy to be on board!

    “As vendors, we serve a vital link between manufacturers, practitioners, educators, and patients. By joining the AHM Coalition, we’re helping to strengthen the profession and ensure that access to safe, high-quality Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine products remains strong and sustainable.

    —David Jones, L.Ac. MSOM, of the AHVC

  • AHVC @ 2026 AHA National Convention

    AHVC officers gather at the recent 2026 American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) in Minneapolis, MN.

    AHVC officers at the 2026 ASA Convention in Minneapolis
    AHVC Officers, from left: Co-vicechair Greg Pepping (Kan); Co-vicechair Carly Rodriguez (Treasure of the East); Secretary Janet Borges (Mayway); Chair Bill Martin (Far East Summit). Missing: Pei Li (Blue Poppy), Treasurer.

  • AHPA-advocated WIN for our industry! FDA signals intent to amend DSHEA disclaimer requirements

    An Industry Win for AHPA

    The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) applauds a major step toward sensible regulatory reform outlined in a LETTER released today from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the dietary supplement industry. The letter signals the agency’s intent to amend the labeling regulation that currently requires the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) disclaimer to appear on every panel of a dietary supplement product label where structure/function claims appear.
     
    This significant action comes directly in response to sustained advocacy from AHPA dating back to and continuing since 2021. AHPA and others have argued that the existing “every panel” requirement (found in 21 C.F.R. § 101.93(d)) is overly prescriptive and exceeds the demands of DSHEA. AHPA has long advocated for FDA to update the regulation to reflect historical industry practice: prominently displaying the disclaimer once on the product label or labeling, not necessarily on every panel, and connecting each claim to the disclaimer via symbols (e.g., asterisks). The contemplated revision would also accord the technical requirements of the regulation with FDA’s historical enforcement approach; as conceded in the letter, and consistent with AHPA’s analysis of agency documents, FDA has “rarely, if ever, enforced this requirement.”
     
    “This news is a major win for the dietary supplement industry,” said AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby. “AHPA has long led the charge for this sensible regulatory reform, and we thank FDA for taking action on an unenforced provision that has fueled opportunistic litigation. This is a strong, positive signal of the agency’s commitment to modernizing regulations, and AHPA looks forward to continued engagement in shaping a rational and modern regulatory environment for this vital category of products.”
     
    Recognizing that formally amending the regulation through the rulemaking process will take time, FDA also stated that the agency will exercise enforcement discretion regarding the “every panel” DSHEA disclaimer requirement, providing immediate relief to industry from this unnecessary burden.

    “This news is a major win for the dietary supplement industry. AHPA has long led the charge for this sensible regulatory reform, and we thank FDA for taking action on an unenforced provision that has fueled opportunistic litigation.

    “This is a strong, positive signal of the agency’s commitment to modernizing regulations, and AHPA looks forward to continued engagement in shaping a rational and modern regulatory environment for this vital category of products.”
    —AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby.

    Read this Blogpost on AHPA >>

  • Some Tariff Relief!

    The efforts and advocacy of AHPA’s Government & Regulatory Affairs prevails!

    As part of an Executive Order issued November 14, 2025, the White House has revised and expanded the set of commodities in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) that are exempt from reciprocal tariffs.

    These changes, reflected in updates to “Annex II” and “Annex III,” partially target commodities that cannot be sourced within the United States.
     
    Of particular note, many tea and spice commodities in Chapter 9 of the HTS that were previously in Annex III are now in Annex II and fully exempt from the reciprocal tariff regime. Also subject to relief were certain coffee and tea extracts under Chapter 21. These include major naturally unavailable commodities that have been at the core of American Herbal Products Association’s (AHPA) trade relief advocacy, including green and black tea (Camellia sinensis), cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric.
     
    The revisions to the code were retroactively applied to goods “entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption” on or after November 13, 12:01 AM Eastern time. The order clarifies that refunds are available through standard methods for goods for which duties were already collected.“
     
    It appears that our advocacy, specifically regarding cinnamon and turmeric, has resonated with policymakers,” said Robert Marriott, AHPA Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs. “We’re thankful for this relief from tariffs on unavailable natural resources, which benefits both American businesses and the health of Americans. Numerous other herbal goods that cannot be grown within our borders are also in need of tariff relief.”
     
    Copies of the newly updated Annex II and Annex III are now available from the AHPA TARIFF TOOLKIT, as well as an updated document showing which major herbal tariff codes are impacted by the changes.
     
    AHPA will continue its advocacy seeking tariff relief for herbal products that cannot be sourced from the United States in quantities necessary to meet demand.

    “It appears that our advocacy, specifically regarding cinnamon and turmeric, has resonated with policymakers,” said Robert Marriott, AHPA Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs. “We’re thankful for this relief from tariffs on unavailable natural resources, which benefits both American businesses and the health of Americans. Numerous other herbal goods that cannot be grown within our borders are also in need of tariff relief.”

  • PROTECT ACCESS to WELLNESS: Tariffs on Essential Herbs Threaten Americans’ Health Choices

    PROTECT ACCESS to WELLNESS: Tariffs on Essential Herbs Threaten Americans’ Health Choices

    The AHPA urges policymakers to support tariff exemptions for certain essential herbs and herbal ingredients from plants that cannot be cultivated domestically. These herbs and ingredients are used in dietary supplements, conventional foods, and personal care products by millions of Americans to support their health and wellness.

    For example, cinnamon, native to Sri Lanka, requires tropical climates with high humidity and temperatures between 70-90ºF for stable growth.

    Turmeric, native to India and Southeast Asia, grows best in warm humid climates with temperatures between 68-95ºF and requires 8-10 months of frost-free conditions. …

    Read on…

    Download the flyer >

  • AHPA’s Response to Executive Order 14257, Annex II: DIETARY INGREDIENTS

    AHPA’s Response to Executive Order 14257, Annex II: DIETARY INGREDIENTS

    Read AHPA’s Response

    In a meeting with the United States Trade Representative, AHPA received confirmation that commodities included in Annex II of the Executive Order on TARIFFS that were not already subject to Section 232 duties were selected to be subject to investigation and the potential imposition of import controls.

    AHPA’s category of concern within Annex II’s long list of Commodities is DIETARY INGREDIENTS. This category includes vitamins, amino acids, and other substances used in the creation of products manufactured and sold by AHPA members such as dietary supplements and personal care products. An imposition of import controls on the Dietary Ingredients listed in Annex II would adversely impact AHPA members.

    On May 2, 2025, AHPA responded to a request for public comments on Section 232: National Security Investigation of Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients. Read AHPA’s FULL Response >>

    Points of discussion in AHPA’s response include:

    • Domestic capacity for Annex II dietary ingredients production is limited.
    • Import controls on Annex II dietary ingredients will do harm to national security.
    • Domestic production of Annex II dietary ingredients is better driven by positive trade measures.

  • AHPA’s Letter to the President

    AHPA’s Letter to the President

    Signed by Graham Rigby, President & CEO, American Herbal Products Association

    Read the whole letter here >>

    Excerpt: “…We are particularly concerned that significant tariff increases or retaliatory trade actions could restrict the availability of key botanicals used not only in dietary supplements but also in herbal teas and personal care products. The loss of access to critical herbal commodities would have the effect of driving the American herbal industry out of the broader international market, ceding ground in a growing industry to our global competitors. To protect consumer access and preserve our competitive advantage, we respectfully urge you to exempt essential herbs and herbal ingredients from the current tariff regime. We would gladly provide information on the tariff codes most in need of exemption. …”

  • Debut on the Hill

    Debut on the Hill

    On April 26 2025 our Vendors Coalition introduced ourselves to the attendees at the 2025 ASA National Conference. Following is our presentation:

    Welcome! We‘re happy you are here.

    Why Now?
    The Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Coalition (AHVC) came together in 2025 because we’re at a turning point. We are a part of the East Asian medicine (EAM) community, and our beloved community is facing big challenges: shifting education and regulatory frameworks, supply chain disruptions, economic pressure, and the push for better integration into mainstream healthcare.

    As longtime businesses and vendors within this community, we have supported the clinical and herbal backbone of the profession for decades. But now, more than ever, we believe it’s time to work closely and deliberately with each other, as well as with our other professional organizations. This is an opportunity to bring our voices and experience to the table, to collaborate more directly, and to make sure we’re all moving forward together.

    The Role of the AHVC
    The AHVC is a shared space where we can plan, respond, and support the long-term health of East Asian medicine in the U.S. We formed this coalition to:

    • Collaborate more closely with national organizations on legislation, certification, education, and access.


    • Offer a unified voice from the supply side to help shape policies that keep herbs and clinical tools safe, available, and affordable.

    • Stay ahead of challenges like tariffs, import restrictions, and market disruptions that could affect access to key materials.

    • Support the infrastructure this profession needs to thrive—so that future practitioners, educators, and patients inherit something strong and sustainable.

    On Tariffs and Economic Pressures
    The current disruptive tariff changes on Asian imports are a good example of why this coalition matters right now. 

    As vendors, we sit right in the middle of trade policy, compliance, and practitioner access. We thus have a unique perspective—and valuable data—to help guide a coordinated response to these evolving pressures. We’re actively working on strategies to ease the impact of these changes, and we hope to work in concert with the other professional organizations in our community in order to tackle this together.

    Supporting a Shared Vision
    The future of our medicine depends on all of us moving in the same direction—vendors, educators, certifiers, and clinicians ALL have a stake in the future. 

    The AHVC exists to help bridge gaps, share resources, and bring decades of experience to the table. We want the future of this medicine to stay accessible, respected, and financially viable.

    That might mean:

    • Helping schools adjust to evolving curriculum standards
    • Keeping GMP-compliant herbs available and affordable

    • Supporting policies that improve reimbursement and licensing


    BOTTOM LINE!

    This is a time of change—but also a time of opportunity. We are here to be part of the solution—and to do it in step with you.

    The AHVC came together because we believe this is a moment that calls for real cooperation. By pooling our experience, skills, and relationships, we can help others by bringing clarity to a complex landscape—and to do our part to nurture this medicine for all stakeholders. We’re excited to work with you, to listen, and to see where we can best support the evolution of this medicine.

    We welcome new members!
    Please join us.