KCPA and GMP: Which Ensures Better Quality?

Kratom has a multitude of beneficial properties. Yet, there is a lack of country-wide regulations to ensure the purity and quality of kratom. Therefore, it’s crucial to buy Mitragyna speciosa products from a reputable vendor. Else, you risk exposing yourself to harmful adulterants, pathogens, bacteria, or heavy metals.

Kratom merchants have started addressing the issue by openly displaying kratom lab test results on their websites. However, not all kratom vendors approach the issue with the best interests of customers in mind.

Contamination and adulteration of products continue to be an issue. Moreover, bad players in the industry have started faking their results.

So, customers need to be thorough and assess the lab test results to determine whether they were legitimate.

But how can the public be sure if the results are legitimate? In many instances, that may not be possible.

Let’s take a look at KCPA and GMP and how they can help you purchase pure kratom.

The American Kratom Association and Its Initiatives

The American Kratom Association, or the AKA, is the most popular organization that fights for the rights and safety of kratom customers. It works to ensure that kratom remains legal. It also aims to educate society, spread the word about kratom worldwide, and promote sustainable procedures in farming and producing kratom products.

The AKA is a nonprofit organization that uses donations to fuel its activities.

Two of the most noteworthy initiatives by the AKA are the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) program and the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). While similar in their nature and purpose, KCPA and GMP are not the same. So, it’s essential to know the distinction between the two when placing a new kratom order.

What Is the GMP Program?

The Good Manufacturing Practice or GMP is an initiative by the American Kratom Association (AKA). It aims to ensure that kratom product manufacturers, distributors, and vendors follow specific procedures to ensure that kratom products are pure and authentic. It also aims to reduce the risk of buyers purchasing from untrustworthy vendors or scammers.

GMP is voluntary. After applying, vendors must pay a fee, comply with regulations such as hygiene practices, as well as test and label kratom leaf products. By implementing these processes, they become GMP-certified.

The AKA allows GMP-certified vendors to display its GMP seal on their websites and packaging. This is done in a similar way to how the FDA has a seal for products that it considers beneficial to consumer health.

To remain GMP certified, kratom merchants must pay a yearly fee and undergo a 3rd party audit to ensure that they follow the regulations. If the vendor fails to do any of those, it is no longer GMP certified.

What Is the KCPA?

In broad terms, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act or KCPA is a more formal version of the GMP initiative. However, instead of being managed by the American Kratom Association (AKA), it instills statewide laws and regulations.

The AKA continuously lobbies the act to new states. It aims to increase the number of states where kratom is legal and regulated. It also wants to make sure that more people gain safe access to pure and legitimately lab-tested kratom leaf products.

Similarly to the GMP, the KCPA also regulates kratom sales and requires products to be lab-tested and labeled. The standard content of the KCPA is the same. However, states may amend some parts of it and include additional information, like the age one needs to be legally able to purchase kratom.

The most significant difference between the GMP Program and the KCPA is the consequences of not complying with these regulations.

GMP-certified vendors simply lose their privileges. Meanwhile, if businesses are not following the KCPA, their actions are punishable by state law. Thus, kratom sellers may face hefty fines or even incarceration.

Should You Buy from a GMP Certified Kratom Merchants or a One from a State that Has Passed the KCPA?

Since the FDA has no interest in regulating kratom, both KCPA and GMP are important. The risk of getting an impure product is lower with either, and we absolutely support both initiatives.

Nonetheless, GMP is more of a privilege that kratom vendors lose if they fail to comply. However, the KCPA may not have its seal, but it does offer harsher consequences. These may lead to the business shutting down. In addition to that, the responsible people, such as the CEO, risk facing criminal charges that may dramatically affect their future.

Moreover, GMP is voluntary and requires a substantial investment. As a result, only the more profitable kratom vendors may be able to afford it consistently.

With the KCPA, however, there is no such choice. If a kratom seller wants to remain in business, they must comply, regardless of whether they are online or local. Therefore, if one prefers to get kratom locally, they have fewer risks if they live in a state that has passed the KCPA.

Another point worth noting is that some of the GMP-certified vendors have been among those who sold salmonella-contaminated kratom. It caused the kratom salmonella outbreak in 2018.

KCPA and GMP: The Bottom Line

Both KCPA and GMP have positive aspects and effects o the kratom industry. Yet, they only protect consumers to a certain extent. Therefore, kratom buyers must still do their due diligence. They should select a vendor who best meets their needs in terms of budget, purity, and other factors.

If you are looking for consistently potent, pure, and high-quality kratom, feel free to check us out. We, Kraoma, are a Nevada-based business. Nevada was one of the first US states to pass its version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

After having established close relationships with kratom farmers in Indonesia, we source all our products directly from the source. We pride ourselves on providing kratom that is not only highly potent but also consistent.

Try our free kratom samples, buy kratom right away, or grab our discount bundles for even better savings. By signing up for Kraoma’s e-mail list, you can get a discount for your first purchase, so make sure to take advantage of that too!