While not a government entity, USP works closely with government agencies, ministries, and regulatory authorities around the world to help provide standards of identity, strength, quality, and purity that can help safeguard the global supply of medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients.
USP standards are legally recognized in the U.S. and elsewhere, and are used in more than 140 countries. USP has laboratories in Brazil, China, India, and the United States. Visit the categories below to learn about specific laws and regulations:
Medicines
Medical Devices
Food Ingredients
Dietary Supplements
Use of USP Reference Standards
USP Reference Standards are not for use in humans or animals as drugs or medical devices. They are intended for test and assay use only as per USP compendia. You may be able to use USP Reference Standards for analytical or laboratory applications other than those specified in USP compendium, but the user is responsible for determining the suitability of the standards for the non-compendial purposes.
Download USP’s policy statement on Shipping and Storage Conditions of USP Reference Standards.