GOED maintains and updates the GOED Voluntary Monograph quality standard for EPA and DHA oils.

The standard is actually more strict than any single regulation in the world and helps to ensure consumers have access to high quality product.  We encourage all companies to market and manufacture omega-3 products that meet these standards as a minimum.

Download the current version of the Monograph

History

The GOED Voluntary Monograph has served as the industry definition of quality since 2002.  The standard was developed by the members of the Omega-3 Working Group at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, which was the predecessor to GOED.  The Monograph was developed to help ensure that omega-3 oils reaching consumers were both safe and of high quality.  The companies that participated in developing the Monograph in corporated the strictest quality and purity standards from regulations around the world, which ensured that any oil manufactured to the Monograph standards could be sold around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the GOED and CRN Voluntary Monographs?

GOED was formerly known as the Omega-3 Working Group at the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).  When GOED was spun off in 2006 as a standalone organization, the CRN Voluntary Monograph became the GOED Voluntary Monograph.  At the time the standards were identical, but GOED occasionally updates the Monograph to reflect changes in regulations and ensure the document remains current.  Check back here to find the most recent updates to the Monograph.

Which oils are included in the scope of the Monograph?

All oils containing EPA and DHA in triglyceride or ethyl ester forms from fish, plant, or microbial sources are within the scope of the monograph, except for cod liver oils.

Why aren't cod liver oils covered in the Monograph?

Many cod liver oils do meet the standards in the GOED Voluntary Monograph, but nearly all cod liver oils are produced in Europe.  The European Pharmacopeia has a monograph specific to cod liver oils, so they were exempted from the scope of the GOED Voluntary Monograph when it was developed.