iHerb initiated the creation of an International Research Center in RUDN University

The work of the center will become a new source of scientific expertise in the market of food additives, vitamin complexes, cosmetics and will strengthen the basis for creating a regulatory system for this market in Russia. The cooperation will last 3 years. At this time, iHerb will finance the activities of the innovation center and provide it with the necessary resources for its work.

The tasks of the research center will include:

• Monitoring the quality of products presented on the website.
• Joint applied research in the field of production of dietary supplements.
• Promotion of effective requirements of technical regulations in the production of dietary supplements.
• Promotion of effective and creation of new dietary supplements.
• Ensuring state registration of dietary supplements that meet the requirements of technical regulation in the Russian Federation and in the EU countries.
• Development of professional recommendations for consumers on the use and choice of dietary supplements.
• It is also planned to create a single authoritative information resource for citizens with up-to-date information about dietary supplements, as well as to conduct joint scientific and practical events with the involvement of Russian and international companies.

"iHerb considers Russia to be one of the most promising and interesting markets. We have repeatedly stated our intention to move a significant part of assets here, and cooperation with RUDN is another step towards deep localization. We are grateful to the representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation, the RUDN and the Russian Academy of Sciences for supporting our initiative and intend to actively develop it. It will not only become a source of new scientific knowledge, but also increase the investment attractiveness of a healthy lifestyle, and in the future will help to increase the life expectancy of people both in Russia and around the world," Ilya Mikin, CEO of iHerb in Russia

"RUDN and iHerb are global organizations that are known in more than 180 countries. Our cooperation will increase the level of trust in unfamiliar brands and help customers make a choice in a situation of a large range of offers. Our specialists will conduct research on the composition and quality of the products of those brands that will be presented by iHerb in Russia. At the first stage, these are vitamin complexes, cosmetics, products for a healthy lifestyle.

We have previously conducted similar examinations for various companies, we have the appropriate equipment and experience. Now, within the framework of cooperation, we are creating a "full cycle" laboratory in which specific products will be able to go through the stages from hypothesis testing to real production. In the future, the promotion of Russian manufacturers' products to the international market through the iHerb platform," Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of the RUDN.

For reference

iHerb is a company established in 1996 in the USA. The range of iHerb includes vitamin complexes, dietary supplements, products for vegetarians, people with special nutritional needs, cosmetics, personal hygiene products, household and pet products. More than 30,000 products from 1200 manufacturers are displayed on the showcase of the marketplace.

RUDN University is a leading Russian university, ranks 317th among the best educational institutions around the world in the QS ranking. This is the most international university in the country — students from 160 countries receive education here. RUDN is engaged in research in the fields of chemistry, physics, medicine, biology and many other sciences. Experiments and expertise take place in 240 laboratories and research centers. Big data is processed on its own supercomputer.