The Organic & Natural Health Association (Organic & Natural Health) and the Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), an export promotion council sponsored by India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry, have entered into a strategic partnership to strengthen scientific collaboration, trusted supply chains and responsible trade between the United States and India for natural health products, nutraceuticals, botanicals and functional ingredients.
The partnership between SHEFEXIL and the Organic & Natural Health Association creates a stronger bridge between India and the United States for science, innovation, and responsible commerce,” said Debjani Roy, Ph.D., executive director of SHEFEXIL. “Together, we are building a trusted global ecosystem through scientific collaboration, regulatory dialogue, and industry engagement that benefits both consumers and the natural health sector.”
Anand Swaroop, founder and president of Cepham and a member of Organic & Natural Health, will serve as lead facilitator for the partnership through the association’s working group. He said the agreement establishes a direct channel for long-term collaboration between the United States and Indian natural health sectors. We had an opportunity to get additional feedback regarding the agreement from Dr. Swaroop.
- Please provide a brief overview concerning SHEFEXIL and your objectives.
The Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL) is an export promotion council sponsored by India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It supports Indian exporters by promoting responsible trade, strengthening international market access, and encouraging high standards across a wide range of natural products, including botanicals, nutraceuticals, functional ingredients, shellac, and other forest-based products.
Our objective through this partnership is to strengthen the connection between India and the United States by building a more transparent, resilient, and trusted supply chain that benefits manufacturers, brands, researchers, and ultimately consumers.
- How do you see that fitting with the Organic & Natural Health organization?
This partnership aligns naturally with Organic & Natural Health’s mission to advance science, transparency, and responsible growth across the natural health industry. By working together, we’re establishing a formal framework for long-term collaboration between the U.S. and Indian natural health sectors while creating new opportunities for education, market development, and industry engagement.
- Explain what India’s “Non Timber Forest Produce exports” mean.
Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) refers to products that are sustainably harvested from forests without cutting down trees. These include botanicals, medicinal plants, herbs, gums, resins, essential oils, honey, natural fibers, and other forest-derived ingredients commonly used in dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, foods, and traditional wellness products.
India has a long history of producing many of these ingredients, and they play an important role in both rural livelihoods and the global natural products industry. Promoting responsible trade in these products helps preserve biodiversity while supporting sustainable economic development.
- Why are your standards important?
For Organic & Natural Health, strong standards are about more than compliance, they’re about building trust. This partnership helps reinforce transparency, quality, and accountability across the supply chain, benefiting both the industry and the consumers who rely on these products.
- What are the requirements for companies to join SHEFEXIL?
SHEFEXIL membership is available to Indian exporters in eligible product categories covered by the council. Companies must meet the applicable export and membership requirements established by India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Through our partnership with Organic & Natural Health, the focus is on creating opportunities for those qualified suppliers to engage more directly with U.S. manufacturers, brands, and researchers.
- Will consumers know that products consumed follow SHEFEXIL standards?
Consumers may not see a SHEFEXIL label directly on finished products, as SHEFEXIL is an export promotion council rather than a consumer-facing certification program.
However, consumers benefit from the work happening behind the scenes. By strengthening transparency, promoting responsible supply chains, and supporting collaboration across the industry, this partnership helps build greater confidence in the quality and integrity of ingredients that ultimately make their way into finished natural health products.
- What are the benefits for consumers and suppliers to use SHEFEXIL standards?
For suppliers, the partnership creates greater opportunities for international collaboration, stronger market access, scientific exchange, regulatory engagement, and lasting business relationships between India and the United States.
For consumers, the benefit is greater confidence in the natural health products they purchase. A supply chain built on scientific collaboration, transparency, and responsible trade helps improve consistency, supports product quality, and contributes to a more resilient global marketplace.
“This collaboration demonstrates what is possible when organizations unite around a common purpose,” said Karen Howard, CEO and executive director of Organic & Natural Health. “Today’s natural health challenges and opportunities extend well beyond national borders. By bringing together leaders from the United States and India, we are creating a framework for stronger scientific collaboration, more resilient supply chains, and greater consumer confidence for years to come.”
