GMP Standards for Kratom: 5 Audit Checks for Soap Makers

AKA GMP is a voluntary, industry-led program modeled on 21 CFR Part 111 that audits a vendor’s facility and processes, not individual batches. It shows a vendor follows documented hygiene, record-keeping and labeling practices. For batch-level quality information, consult the batch COA and its laboratory details. We share batch-level information at Kratomvia.

TL;DR:

• Vendors must pass an independent inspection within 90 days of registration and submit proof of annual renewal audits to remain on AKA’s public qualified list.
• Check the AKA public list for the vendor’s latest audit date and auditor’s name, and request a summary to confirm the qualification is current.
• Match the COA’s batch number to the product, then check its test date, alkaloid levels, microbial findings, heavy metals, and laboratory accreditation.
• State rules can add requirements for microbial testing, labeling, traceability, recalls, and registration; Utah and Rhode Island also specify heavy metal limits.

Table of Contents

• What is the AKA GMP Standards Program?
• How do the audit requirements and renewals work?
• Why do COAs still matter if a vendor is AKA GMP qualified?
• What do state Kratom Consumer Protection Acts require?
• How do we handle transparency and testing at Kratomvia?
• Why do audits and COAs work best together?
• FAQ
• Sources

What is the AKA GMP Standards Program?

The AKA GMP Standards Program is a voluntary effort run by the American Kratom Association. It is not government-enforced for kratom, and the FDA does not currently recognize kratom as a legal dietary supplement. The program draws on benchmarks from federal manufacturing rules and applies them to kratom-product processes.

Here is what the program covers and who stands behind it:

• It sets benchmarks for manufacturing, packaging, labeling and holding of kratom products.
• The program aims to provide information about participating vendors’ manufacturing practices.
• Vendors qualify only after an independent audit.
• AKA keeps a public list of GMP qualified vendors that pass.
• AKA frames participation as a commitment to responsible processes, not an endorsement of any product.

Because federal regulation remains unsettled, researchers describe this kind of industry self-regulation as the main baseline for safety standards today.

How do the audit requirements and renewals work?

To become an AKA qualified vendor, a business must complete an initial third-party inspection within 90 days of registration. It then has to submit proof of successful annual renewal audits to stay on the list. GMP compliance is treated as an ongoing commitment, tailored to each vendor’s business model and output.

Auditors focus on facility hygiene, standard operating procedures, record-keeping, labeling and corrective-action processes. When reviewing a vendor’s quality documentation, consider these steps:

1. Find the vendor on the public AKA qualified list.
2. Look for the date of the most recent audit.
3. Look for the auditor’s name.
4. Ask for an audit report summary.
5. Confirm the claim is renewed each year, not a one-time badge.

Pro Tip: A vendor’s GMP claims are easier to review when accompanied by an audit date and auditor name.

Why do COAs still matter if a vendor is AKA GMP qualified?

AKA GMP status signifies a facility and process audit, not a product certification. It describes a vendor’s processes, while a batch COA provides batch-specific test results. The GMP program documentation explains that the program audits facilities and processes, not products.

A batch COA provides batch-specific test information. Utah, for example, requires COAs from third-party labs that hold ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation. A COA can include:

• A batch or lot number that can be matched to the corresponding product information
• A recent test date
• Alkaloid content, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine
• Microbial results
• Heavy-metal results

Utah’s rules specify information to include in a COA for a batch. Process audits and COAs provide different kinds of quality information. Our guide on how to read a kratom COA explains how to review the reported results.

What do state Kratom Consumer Protection Acts require?

Several states have Kratom Consumer Protection Acts that write testing and labeling into law. Across these acts, requirements include microbial testing, transparent labeling, traceability and recall authority, as AKA’s consumer alert summarizes. Utah adds product and processor registration, described in AKA’s overview of the Utah act.

Utah’s guidance sets these heavy-metal limits, which Rhode Island’s rules also reflect:

Utah’s certificate of analysis rule also sets microbial limits and requires alkaloid reporting. Rhode Island’s label and packaging guidance specifies alkaloid reporting per gram, plus ISO/IEC 17025 lab verification for certain tests.

How do we handle transparency and testing at Kratomvia?

We source directly from a small, known network of growers, and every batch is independently lab-tested. Batches are traceable by batch number, so product information can be matched to the corresponding report.

• Batch COAs and lab-result PDFs are posted on our lab reports page.
• Product pages for Red Maeng Da, Yellow Maeng Da and Green Maeng Da carry the batch details.
• Our post on kratom lab testing explains what each test panel covers.
• Our note on batch variability shows why matching batch numbers matters.

Our products are intended for soap making and use as accessories. Lab reports provide information about product quality and consistency.

Why do audits and COAs work best together?

A facility audit and a batch COA answer different questions, and a buyer needs both answers. The audit tells you whether a vendor runs a disciplined operation year after year. The COA tells you what is in the lot in front of you. We would not trust either signal alone, and we would not rely on a vendor who offers only one. When you compare vendors, ask for the audit record and the batch report together.

— Kratomvia

FAQ

What does AKA GMP status actually cover?

It covers a vendor’s facility and processes, including hygiene, procedures, record-keeping and labeling. It does not certify the contents of any individual batch, which is why batch COAs matter. The program documentation states this directly.

Are AKA audits government inspections?

No. The program is voluntary and industry-led, and it is not government-enforced for kratom. Independent third-party auditors perform the inspections, and vendors must renew them annually to stay on the public list.

How do you find and check a batch COA?

Find the COA on the vendor’s lab reports page or product page, then match its batch number to the corresponding product information. Check the lab’s accreditation details and whether the report includes alkaloid, microbial and heavy-metal results.

How often must a vendor be audited?

A vendor must complete an initial third-party audit within 90 days of registration. After that, it submits proof of annual renewal audits to remain on the qualified vendor list.

Sources

• GMP Standards Program
• Kratom Testing Requirements | Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

Recommended

• Check Batch COAs First: Kratom Batch Variability for Soap
• Soap Makers: Kratom Toss and Wash, Start With a 1–2 Bar Trial
• Powder or Capsules for Kratom Soap? Repeatable & Compliant
• Make Kratom Predictable in Soap: 1 Tsp Per Lb, Lab Tested

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content provided is not intended to promote, recommend, or suggest human consumption of kratom or any other product. Our products are sold exclusively for their intended purposes as described on our website. This information should not be interpreted as medical advice, and we encourage readers to consult qualified professionals for any health-related questions.