Bon Natural Life Limited (BON) 20-F2023 FY Annual report (foreign)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

OR

☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report:

Commission file number: 001-40517

BON NATURAL LIFE LIMITED

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s Name Into English)

Cayman Islands

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

Room 601, Block C, Gazelle Valley, No.69, Jinye Road

High-Tech Zone, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

People’s Republic of China

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Yongwei Hu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Room 601, Block C, Gazelle Valley, No.69, Jinye Road

High-Tech Zone, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

People’s Republic of China

Tel: + 0086-29-88346301

bonnatural@appchem.cn

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report (September 30, 2023): 11,738,662

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐ No ☒

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files) Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer, “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. ☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D 1(b). ☐ 

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Not Applicable

Annual Report on Form 20-F

Year Ended September 30, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTORY NOTES

Use of Certain Defined Terms

Except as otherwise indicated by the context and for the purposes of this Annual Report only, references in this Annual Report to:

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “optimistic,” “intend,” “aim,” “will” or similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning market and industry segment growth and demand and acceptance of new and existing products; any projections of sales, earnings, revenue, margins or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, which, if they were to ever materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the possibility that we may not be able to maintain or increase our net revenues and profits due to our failure to anticipate consumer preferences and develop new menswear products, our failure to execute our business expansion plan, changes in domestic and foreign laws, regulations and taxes, changes in economic conditions, uncertainties related to China’s legal system and economic, political and social events in China, a general economic downturn, a downturn in the securities markets, and other risks and uncertainties which are generally set forth under Item 3 “Key information—D. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Annual Report and our other filings with the SEC. These reports attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects. The forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report speak only as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation, except as required by law, to provide updates, revisions or amendments to any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in our expectations or future events.

PART I

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

We are a Cayman Islands holding company that conducts all of our operations and operates our business in China through our PRC subsidiaries. Holders of our ordinary shares do not own equity securities of our subsidiaries that have substantive business operations in China, but instead are holders of equity securities of a Cayman Islands holding company. Such structure involves unique risks to investors in our ordinary shares. Although we own and control our PRC operating subsidiaries, investors in our ordinary shares may never hold equity interests directly in our operating entities. Please see “Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure” beginning on page 14 of this report (the “Annual report”) or additional information.

We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to being based in and having all of our operations in China. The PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company, such as us, to conduct its business, accept foreign investments or list on an U.S. or other foreign exchanges. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals of offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. Such risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer ordinary shares and/or other securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, see generally, “Risks Related to Legal Uncertainty and Doing Business in China” beginning on page 15 of this Annual Report.

Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act

The recently enacted Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“HFCAA”), together with a recent joint statement by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the PCAOB call for additional stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies by assessing the qualification of non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. Under the HFCAA, our securities may be prohibited from trading on the Nasdaq or other U.S. stock exchanges if our auditor is not subject to inspection by the PCAOB for three consecutive years, and this ultimately could result in our Ordinary Shares being delisted from trading on any U.S. stock exchange. On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which, among other things, amended the HFCAA to reduce the time period under the HFCAA to two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years.

Pursuant to the HFCAA, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 (the “2021 Determination Report”) which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China because of a position taken by one or more authorities in mainland China. Our auditor, located in China, is subject to the 2021 Determination Report. On August 26, 2022, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), the Ministry of Finance of China, and the PCAOB signed a protocol governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in China and Hong Kong. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a new Determination Report (the “2022 Determination Report”) which: (1) vacated the 2021 Determination Report and (2) concluded that the PCAOB has been able to conduct inspections and investigations completely in the PRC in 2022. Although the 2022 Determination Report reversed the conclusion of the 2021 Determination Report with respect to PCAOB’s ability to conduct inspections and investigations completely of the registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong, the 2022 Determination Report cautions, however, that authorities in the PRC might take positions at any time that would prevent the PCAOB from continuing to inspect or investigate completely. As required by the HFCAA, if in the future the PCAOB determines it no longer can inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in the PRC, the PCAOB will act expeditiously to consider whether it should issue a new determination.

The audit report included in this Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 2023 was issued by YCM CPA, Inc. (‘YCM”), which is a U.S.-based accounting firm that is registered with the PCAOB. YCM was not subject to the 2021 Determination Report. We have no intention of dismissing YCM in the future or of engaging any auditor not based in the U.S. and not subject to regular inspection by the PCAOB.

Cash Flows Within Our Organization

We have established clear policies and procedures to ensure effective cash oversight. Our management team is directly responsible for supervising cash management, while our finance department is responsible for establishing guidelines and procedures to be followed by all departments and operating entities. When a department or operating entity requires cash, they must first submit a cash demand plan to designated management members within our company. The plan outlines the specific amount and timing of the requested funds, and the designated management member evaluates the request based on available sources of cash and the priority of needs. Once approved, the cash allocation is sent to our finance department for a second review and further approval. To further ensure effective cash management, we regularly review our cash position and make adjustments as necessary to maximize the use of available funds. We also maintain a close relationship with our banking partners to stay informed of any changes in banking regulations or requirements that could affect our cash management activities.

The structure of cash flows within the entities in our corporate organization, and the applicable regulations, are as follows:

1. Our equity structure is a direct holding structure, that is, the overseas entity listed in the U.S., Bon Natural Life, directly controls Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui (the “WFOEs”) and other domestic operating entities through the Hong Kong company, Tea Essence. See “Corporate History and Structure” for additional details.

2. Within our direct holding structure, the cross-border transfer of funds within our corporate group is conducted in compliance with the laws and regulations of the PRC. After foreign investors’ funds enter Bon Natural Life following an offering of securities, the funds can be directly transferred to Tea Essence, and then transferred to subordinate operating entities through the WFOE.

If were to distribute dividends, we would transfer the dividends to Tea Essence in accordance with the laws and regulations of the PRC, and then Tea Essence will transfer the dividends to Bon Natural Life, and the dividends will be distributed from Bon Natural Life to all shareholders respectively in proportion to the shares they hold, regardless of whether the shareholders are U.S. investors or investors in other countries or regions.

3. As of January 30, 2024, the only cash transfers from Bon Natural Life Limited to its subsidiaries have been as follows: 1) On June 29, 2021, $9 million was transferred from Bon Natural Life to our Hong Kong subsidiary and then transferred to our WOFE as a capital contribution. These funds were then transferred to our subsidiary in the PRC. 2) On July 9, 2021, $1 million was transferred from Bon Natural Life to our Hong Kong subsidiary and then further transferred to our WOFE as a capital contribution. These funds were then transferred to our subsidiary in the PRC in August 2021. 3) On January 17, 2023, $630,000 was transferred from Bon Natural Life to our Hong Kong subsidiary and then transferred to our WOFE as a capital contribution. These funds were then transferred to our subsidiary in the PRC in January 2023. Other than the foregoing, there have been no intercompany cash transfers from Bon Natural Life to our subsidiaries or from our subsidiaries to Bon Natural Life.

To date, none of our subsidiaries have made any dividends or distributions to Bon Natural Life and we have not made any dividends or distributions to our shareholders. We intend to keep any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid to shareholders in the foreseeable future.

4. Under Cayman Islands law, the Company may pay dividends on its shares out of either profit or share premium amounts, provided that in no circumstance may a dividend be paid if such payment would result in the Company being unable to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business. If we decide to pay dividends in the future, as a holding company, we will depend on receiving dividends from our PRC subsidiaries.

Current PRC regulations permit our direct PRC subsidiary, or WFOE, to pay dividends to Tea Essence Limited (HK), our Hong Kong subsidiary, only out of its accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. Cash dividends, if any, on our Ordinary Shares would be paid in U.S. dollars. The PRC government also imposes control on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) in the PRC, as long as certain procedural requirements are met. Approval from appropriate government authorities is required if RMB is converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may, at its discretion, impose restrictions on access to foreign currencies for current account transactions and, if this occurs in the future, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies (i.e., U.S. dollars) to our shareholders. Furthermore, if our PRC entities incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. Due to the above restrictions, if we are unable to receive payments from our PRC operating entities, we would not be able to pay dividends to our shareholders, should we desire to do so in the future.

PRC Government Permissions and Approvals

We believe that we have obtained all material licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities for our business operations in the PRC. To date, we have not been denied any such licenses and permits. However, we cannot assure you that we will always be able to successfully obtain, update or renew all the licenses or permits required for our business in a timely manner or that these licenses or permits are sufficient to conduct all of our present or future business operations. If we (i) do not receive or maintain required permissions or approvals, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, or (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, we could be subject to fines, legal sanctions or an order to suspend or business operations, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Overseas Listing Trial Measures”) and relevant five guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer securities or list in overseas markets, either directly or indirectly, are required to fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC. At a press conference held for these new regulations, officials from the CSRC clarified that the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas before the effective date of the Overseas Listing Trial Measures (i.e. March 31, 2023) shall be deemed as existing issuers, or the Existing Issuers. Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC when subsequent matters such as refinancing are involved.

As an Existing Issuer under the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, we would only be required to complete the filing procedures with the CSRC in connection with a new securities offering conducted after March 31, 2023. Given that the Overseas Listing Trial Measures were recently promulgated, however, there remain substantial uncertainties as to their interpretation, application, and enforcement. We cannot guarantee that new rules or regulations promulgated in the future will not impose any additional requirement on us or otherwise tighten the PRC domestic regulations on companies indirectly listed overseas.

To the extent that we are subject to any CSRC approval, filing, other governmental authorization or requirements, whether in connection with future securities offerings or otherwise, we cannot assure you that we could obtain such approval, complete such filing, or meet other requirements in a timely manner or at all. If we fail to obtain such approval if and when needed or complete such filings or meet other requirements in a timely manner, the Chinese regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operations in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from securities offerings into China, force a delisting of our ordinary shares, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our securities.

The Cybersecurity Review Measures provide that an online platform operator, which possesses personal information of at least one million users, must apply for a cybersecurity review by the CAC if it intends to be listed in foreign countries. Because we currently do not possess more than one million users’ personal information, we do not believe that we are or will be subject to the cybersecurity review by the CAC. In addition, to date, we have not been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review initiated by any PRC regulatory authority, nor have we received any inquiry, notice, or sanction related to cybersecurity review under the Cybersecurity Review Measures.

The following table presents selected financial data regarding our business. It should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this annual report and the information under Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” The selected consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the selected consolidated statements of financial position data as of September 30, 2023 and 2022have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are included in this annual report beginning on page F-1.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The selected financial data information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere herein. The financial statements contained elsewhere fully represent our financial condition and operations; however, they are not indicative of our future performance.

Balance Sheet Data (Presented in $USD)

Statements of Operations Data (Presented in $USD)

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

An investment in our capital stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this Annual Report, before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related To Our Financial Condition and Business Model

Because we conduct all of our operations in China, our business is subject to the complex and rapidly evolving laws and regulations there. The Chinese government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene in or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our Ordinary Shares, could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

As a business operating in China, we are subject to the laws and regulations of the PRC, which can be complex and evolve rapidly. The PRC government has the power to exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business, and the regulations to which we are subject may change rapidly and with little notice to us or our shareholders. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which legal cases have limited value as precedents. In the late 1970s, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past four decades has significantly increased the protections afforded to various forms of foreign or private-sector investment in China. As relevant laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve with little advance notice, however, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties. The PRC government has the power to exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business, and the regulations to which we are subject may change rapidly and with little notice to us or our shareholders. In addition, these laws and regulations may be interpreted and applied inconsistently by different agencies or authorities, and inconsistently with our current policies and practices. New laws, regulations, and other government directives in the PRC may also be costly to comply with, and such compliance or any associated inquiries or investigations or any other government actions may:

The promulgation of new laws or regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws and regulations, in each case that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or manner in which we conduct our business and could require us to change certain aspects of our business to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for our products, reduce revenues, increase costs, require us to obtain more licenses, permits, approvals or certificates, or subject us to additional liabilities. To the extent any new or more stringent measures are required to be implemented, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected, and any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

Our failure to appropriately respond to changing consumer preferences and demand for new products or product enhancements could significantly harm our customer relationships and product sales and harm our financial condition and operating results.

Our business is subject to changing consumer trends and preferences, especially with respect to weight management; targeted nutrition; energy, sports, and fitness; and other nutrition products. Our continued success depends in part on our ability to anticipate and respond to these changes, and we may not respond in a timely or commercially appropriate manner to such changes. Furthermore, the nutritional supplement industry is characterized by rapid and frequent changes in demand for products and new product introductions and enhancements. Our failure to accurately predict these trends could negatively impact consumer opinion of our products and cause the loss of sales. Our short term new product development primarily focuses on health supplements, such as various powder drink products seeking to i) boost immunity; ii) prevent indigestion; iii) prevent respiratory infection; iv) prevent allergic skin reaction; v) improve sleep quality; vi) prevent memory loss and vii) alleviate anxiety. Our products have not been approved as effective in treating or preventing any health conditions and/or diseases by a regulatory agency in the PRC. In terms of product enhancements, we are also working on increasing the purity of our bioactive food ingredients, such as our ultra-pure stachyose as a dietary supplement for infants, flavanols to seek intestine health improvement, procyanidin b2 to seek to promote hair growth, and high soluble and low residue sclareolide to seek weight management. The success of our new product offerings and enhancements depends upon a number of factors, including our ability to:

If we do not introduce new products or make enhancements to meet the changing needs of our customers in a timely manner, some of our product offerings could be rendered obsolete, which could negatively impact our revenues, financial condition and operating results.

If we are unable to build sufficient distribution network to meet increasing demand of our products, our ability to execute on our business plan as outlined in this Annual Report will be impaired.

We sell our products through our direct sales force and distribution channel. Although our sales and distribution satisfy our existing business needs, they might be insufficient to meet demand for our products as we continue to grow our business, which could result in harm to our sales and business operations, financial condition and results of operations. To mitigate such risk, we intent to invest our internally generated cash from operations and capital to be raised to add additional teams to our direct sales force, expand our geographic reach with new distribution channels into other provinces within China and overseas, and establish more sales online. If our planned efforts to expand our sales and distribution channels are not effective, our ability to execute on our business plan and to realize continued growth with be impaired.

Production difficulties, quality control problems, inaccurate forecasting and reliance on third-party suppliers could harm our business.

Production difficulties, quality control problems, inaccurate forecasting and our reliance on third party suppliers to manufacture and deliver products that meet our specifications in a timely manner could harm our business. We could experience production difficulties with respect to our products, including the availability of raw materials, components, packaging and products that do not meet our specifications and quality control standards. These production difficulties and quality problems could result in stock outages or shortages in our markets with respect to such products, harm our sales, or create inventory write-downs for unusable products.

The inability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials for products at favorable prices, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

We acquire our raw materials for the manufacture of our products from third-party suppliers. Materials used in manufacturing our products are purchased through purchase order, often invoking pre-negotiated supply agreements. We have very few long-term agreements for the supply of these materials. There is a risk that any of our suppliers could discontinue selling raw materials to us. Although we believe that we could establish alternate sources for most of our products, any delay in locating and establishing relationships with other sources could result in product shortages or back orders for products, with a resulting loss of net sales. In certain situations, we may be required to alter our products or to substitute different products from another source. There can be no assurance that suppliers will provide the raw materials that are needed by us in the quantities that we request or at the prices that we are willing to pay. Because we do not control the actual production of certain raw materials, we are also subject to delays caused by any interruption in the production of these materials, based on conditions not within our control, including weather, crop conditions, transportation interruptions, strikes by supplier employees, and natural disasters or other catastrophic events.

Our products have not been clinically proven to be safe or effective, and our quality control efforts are limited to ensuring ingredient and product purity and certain safety measures. If our products, or similar products distributed by other companies, were proven or asserted to be unsafe or ineffective, our business would be harmed.

Our products include nutritional supplements that are made from vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other substances for which there is a long history of human consumption. Some of our products contain innovative ingredients or combinations of ingredients. Although we believe that all of our products are safe when taken as directed, there is little long-term experience with human consumption of certain of these product ingredients or combinations of ingredients in concentrated form. We have not conducted clinical trials on the safety or efficacy of our products, and no government agency with authority has made any determination regarding their safety or efficacy. Our inspection and quality control efforts are limited to ensuring ingredient and product purity and quality. We follow industry best practices by inspecting sourced raw materials and finished products and formulating our products and in accordance to “ISO22000 Food Safety Management System-Procurement Control Procedure”, “People’s Republic of China National Standard-Powder Drink”, and “People’s Republic of China Domestic Trade Industry Standard-Tablet Candy”. In addition to our self-inspections, we use authorized national food quality control and safety inspection agencies to inspect our raw materials and finished products. These inspections and practices, however, do not constitute proof or assurance that our products are safe or effective. We could be adversely affected in the event that our products, or similar products distributed by other companies, were proven or are asserted to be ineffective or harmful to consumers or in the event of adverse publicity associated with any illness or other adverse effects resulting from consumers’ use or misuse of our products or similar products of our competitors.

Disruptions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic have had a material negative impact on our results of operations and pose continuing additional risks to our operations.

In December 2019, a novel strain of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization categorized it as a pandemic. To reduce the spread of the COVID-19, the Chinese government has employed measures including city lockdowns, quarantines, travel restrictions, suspension of business activities and school closures. Due to difficulties resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, including, but not limited to, the temporary closure of the Company’s factory and operations beginning in early February, limited support from the Company’s employees, delayed access to raw material supplies and inability to deliver products to customers on a timely basis, the Company’s business was negatively impacted and generated lower revenue and net income during the period from February to April 2020. The Company resumed operations on March 2, 2020 and received and fulfilled an increasing number of customer orders in the second half of fiscal year 2020, especially for bioactive food ingredients, including Stachyose due to local government recommendation and increasing consumer demand. Our revenues were $25,494,564 in fiscal year 2021, an increase of $7,274,605, or approximately 39.9% as compared to $18,219,959 in fiscal year 2020. Our net income increased by 48.8%, from $3,098,317 in fiscal year 2020 to $4,609,453 in fiscal year 2021 because we fulfilled increased sales orders in fiscal year 2021 when COVID-19 was relatively under control in China. Our revenues were $29,908,561 in fiscal year 2022, an increase of $4,413,997, or approximately 17.3% as compared to $25,494,564 in fiscal year 2021 due to strong customer demand. Our net income increased from $4,609,453 in fiscal year 2021 to $6,242,424 in fiscal year 2022. As of the date of this annual report, although the negative impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak on our business seems to be temporary in China, there is still uncertainty both in China and globally and potential disruption to business and the economy. A resurgence could negatively affect the execution of customer contracts, the collection of customer payments, or disruption of the Company’s supply chain. The continued uncertainties associated with COVID 19 may cause the Company’s revenue and cash flows to underperform in the next 12 months from the date of issuance of our 2022 consolidated financial statements. The extent of the future impact of COVID-19 is still highly uncertain and cannot be predicted as of the date of this report.

We may face increased competition from new and existing firms with greater capital resources, which could cause our market share and profitability to decline if we do not successfully meet competitive challenges.

Because of the strong prospects and recent growth of our existing business, we may face new direct competition from some counterparts engaged in other categories of the natural products and ingredients business, such as Chenguang Biotech from China, which is engaged in natural colors, Layn, which engaged in natural sweeteners, and European counterparts like Koninklijke DSM N.V., Symrise AG, and Givaudan SA. These firms may seek to compete directly with Xi’an App-Chem in its existing businesses to some extent. The size, financial strength, technology foundation and development capabilities of the above-mentioned companies are strong, and potential competition from these firms will be a key competitive challenge in the near future. In addition, large and well-developed food and food ingredient companies may seek to enter the nutritional health space. These companies may challenge us by seeking to secure key raw material sources for their products and to acquire stability, reliability and cost advantages for their supply chains. Because of the strong capital and brand strength of such companies, they might pose challenges to us in the future. If we are unable to continue to expand, innovate, and collaborate to improve our market position in the face of new competition, our market share, revenues, and profitability will be adversely affected.

If we do not obtain substantial additional financing, our ability to execute on our business plan as outlined in this Annual Report will be impaired.

Our plans for business expansion and development are dependent upon our raising significant additional capital. Our plans call for significant new investments in research and development, marketing, expanded productions capacity, and working capital for raw materials and other items. Management estimates that our capital needs for expansion will be approximately $40 million. We will be required to seek additional investments, loans or debt financing to fully pursue our business plans. Such additional investment may not be available to us on terms which are favorable or acceptable. Should we be unable to meet our full capital needs, our ability to fully implement our business plan will be impaired.

If we are unable to retain key personnel and hire new key personnel, we may not be able to implement our business plan.

Our ability to succeed depends upon the experience and contributions of our key personnel, and in particular, our founder and CEO, Mr. Hu. The loss of the services of these individuals, if they are not adequately replaced, could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. Our future success will also depend on our ability to identify, attract, and retain additional qualified personnel as we expand our operations. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in identifying, attracting, and retaining such personnel. Consequently, the loss of any of those individuals may have a substantial effect on our future success or failure. We may have to recruit qualified personnel with competitive compensation packages, equity participation, and other benefits that may affect the working capital available for our operations. Management may have to seek to obtain outside independent professionals to assist them in assessing the merits and risks of any business proposals as well as assisting in the development and operation of many company projects. No assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain such needed assistance on terms acceptable to us. Our failure to attract additional qualified employees or to retain the services of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

Negative publicity may harm our brand and reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business.

Negative publicity about us, including our services, management, business model and practices, compliance with applicable rules, regulations and policies, or our network partners may materially and adversely harm our brand and reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business. We cannot assure you that we will be able to defuse any such negative publicity within a reasonable period of time, or at all. Additionally, allegations, directly or indirectly against us, may be posted on the internet by anyone on a named or anonymous basis, and can be quickly and widely disseminated. Information posted may be inaccurate, misleading and adverse to us, and it may harm our reputation, business or prospects. The harm may be immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. Our reputation may be negatively affected as a result of the public dissemination of negative and potentially inaccurate or misleading information about our business and operations, which in turn may materially adversely affect our relationships with our customers, employees or business partners, and adversely affect the price of our Shares.

Because we are an “emerging growth company,” we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”). We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of:

As an “emerging growth company”, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to:

In addition, section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Under this provision, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we are choosing to “opt out” of such extended transition period and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

We previously carried out our online sales through the ICP license held by Xi’an App-Chem by means of Contractual Arrangements. If the PRC government determines that these contractual arrangements did not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership in companies that engage in online sales China, we originally carried out our business through Xi’an App-Chem, a domestic PRC company holding a value-added telecommunications license, through a variable interest entity structure.

However, our online sales have historically generated minimal revenues. On September 28, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring of our corporate structure to terminate the original VIE contractual agreements, to convert Xi’an App-Chem from a PRC domestic company into a Sino-foreign joint venture, and to transfer 100% of the ownership interests in Xi’an App-Chem from its original shareholders to Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui. On October 21, 2021, Xi’an Ap-Chem’s original shareholders signed the share transfer agreement to transfer their 100% ownership interest in Xi-an App-Chem to Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui. On October 22, 2021, Xi-an App-Chem completed its business license registration with PRC government and became a foreign investment enterprise

However, even though we terminated the original VIE contractual agreements, there are still substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules in respect of our previous use of the variable interest entity structure; accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may impose severe penalties retroactively.

If we were subject to severe penalties retroactively, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations and failures, including:

Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our current corporate structure and business operations may be affected by the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law.

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020. Along with the Foreign Investment Law, the Implementing Rules of Foreign Investment Law promulgated by the State Council and the Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of the Foreign Investment Law promulgated by the Supreme People’s Court became effective on January 1, 2020. Since the Foreign Investment Law and its current implementation and interpretation rules are relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to their further application and improvement.

The Foreign Investment Law grants national treatment to foreign-invested entities, except for those foreign-invested entities that operate in industries specified as either “restricted” or “prohibited” from foreign investment in a “negative list”. It is unclear whether the “negative list” to be published pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law will differ from the current Special Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2021 Version). The Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign-invested entities operating in “restricted” industries will require market entry clearance and other approvals from relevant PRC government authorities. As of the date hereto, the current business activities of our PRC subsidiaries are not within the “negative list”, and foreign investors are allowed to hold 100% equity interests of our PRC subsidiaries under the Foreign Investment Law. We have no plans at the present to substantially change our PRC subsidiaries’ business activities in the future. However, it’s uncertain whether we will engage in business activities that are in the “negative list”, as the “negative list” may be amended from time to time.

Risks Related to Legal Uncertainty and Doing Business in China

Because all of our operations are in China, our business is subject to the complex and rapidly evolving laws and regulations there. The Chinese government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene in or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares.

As all of our business operations are conducted in China, we are subject to the laws and regulations of the PRC, which can be complex and evolve rapidly. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which legal cases have limited value as precedents. In the late 1970s, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past four decades has significantly increased the protections afforded to various forms of foreign or private-sector investment in China.

As relevant laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve with little advance notice, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties. The PRC government has the power to exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business, and the regulations to which we are subject may change rapidly and with little notice to us or our shareholders. As a result, the application, interpretation, and enforcement of new and existing laws and regulations in the PRC are often uncertain. In addition, these laws and regulations may be interpreted and applied inconsistently by different agencies or authorities, and inconsistently with our current policies and practices. New laws, regulations, and other government directives in the PRC may also be costly to comply with, and such compliance or any associated inquiries or investigations or any other government actions may:

The promulgation of new laws or regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws and regulations, in each case that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or manner in which we conduct our business and could require us to change certain aspects of our business to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for our products, reduce revenues, increase costs, require us to obtain more licenses, permits, approvals or certificates, or subject us to additional liabilities. To the extent any new or more stringent measures are required to be implemented, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected as well as materially decrease the value of our ordinary shares.

If the Chinese government chooses to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

Recent statements by the Chinese government have indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investments in China based issuers. PRC has recently proposed new rules that would require companies collecting or holding large amounts of data to undergo a cybersecurity review prior to listing in foreign countries, a move that would significantly tighten oversight over China-based internet giants. On July 10, 2021, the CAC issued a revised draft of the Measures for Cybersecurity Review for public comments, which required that, among others, in addition to “operator of critical information infrastructure”, any “data processor” controlling personal information of no less than one million users which seeks to list in a foreign stock exchange should also be subject to cybersecurity review, and further elaborated the factors to be considered when assessing the national security risks of the relevant activities. Later on December 28, 2021, the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 version) was promulgated and became effective on February 15, 2022, which iterates that any “online platform operators” controlling personal information of more than one million users which seeks to list in a foreign stock exchange should also be subject to cybersecurity review. On November 14, 2021, the CAC published the Network Internet Data Protection Draft Regulations (draft for comments), which reiterates that data handlers that process the personal information of more than one million users listing in a foreign country should apply for a cybersecurity review.

Our business does not involve the collection of user data, implicate cybersecurity, or involve any other type of restricted industry and we do not believe we are among the “operator of critical information infrastructure”, “data processor”, “online platform operators” or “data handler” as mentioned above. However, since the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 version) was newly adopted and the Network Internet Data Protection Draft Regulations (draft for comments) is in the process of being formulated, it is unclear on how it will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities. Thus we could not assure you that we will not be deemed as the “operator of critical information infrastructure”, “data processor”, “online platform operators” or “data handler” as mentioned above. We believe that, as of the date of this Annual Report, the Company and its subsidiaries, (1) are not required to obtain permissions or approvals from any PRC authorities to operate or issue our Ordinary Shares to foreign investors; and (2) are not subject to permission requirements from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”), the Cyberspace Administration of China (the “CAC”) or any other entity that is required to approve of our operations. As of the date of this Annual Report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have not been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review initiated by the CAC or related governmental regulatory authorities, and have not received any requirements to obtain permissions from any PRC authorities to issue our ordinary shares to foreign investors or were denied such permissions by any PRC authorities. Uncertainties still exist due to the possibility that laws, regulations, or policies in the PRC could change rapidly in the future. Any future action by the PRC government expanding the categories of industries and companies whose foreign securities offerings are subject to review by the CRSC or the CAC could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

If the Chinese government were to impose new requirements for approval from the PRC Authorities to issue our ordinary shares to foreign investors or list on a foreign exchange, such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements and similar matters.

On December 24, 2021, the CSRC released the Administrative Provisions of the State Council Regarding the Overseas Issuance and Listing of Securities by Domestic Enterprises (Draft for Comments) and the Measures for the Overseas Issuance of Securities and Listing Record-Filings by Domestic Enterprises (Draft for Comments), which were published for public comments only with the comment period expired on January 23, 2022. The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing lay out the filing regulation arrangement for both direct and indirect overseas listing, and clarify the determination criteria for indirect overseas listing in overseas market.

The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing stipulate that the Chinese-based companies, or the issuer, shall fulfill the filing procedures within three working days after the issuer makes an application for initial public offering and listing in an overseas market. The required filing materials for an initial public offering and listing should include at least the following: record-filing report and related undertakings; regulatory opinions, record-filing, approval and other documents issued by competent regulatory authorities of relevant industries (if applicable); and security assessment opinion issued by relevant regulatory authorities (if applicable); PRC legal opinion; and prospectus.

In addition, an overseas offering and listing is prohibited under any of the following circumstances: (1) if the intended securities offering and listing is specifically prohibited by national laws and regulations and relevant provisions; (2) if the intended securities offering and listing may constitute a threat to or endangers national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) if there are material ownership disputes over the equity, major assets, and core technology, etc. of the issuer; (4) if, in the past three years, the domestic enterprise or its controlling shareholders or actual controllers have committed corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or other criminal offenses disruptive to the order of the socialist market economy, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (5) if, in past three years, directors, supervisors, or senior executives have been subject to administrative punishments for severe violations, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (6) other circumstances as prescribed by the State Council. The Administration Provisions defines the legal liabilities of breaches such as failure in fulfilling filing obligations or fraudulent filing conducts, imposing a fine between RMB 1 million and RMB 10 million, and in cases of severe violations, a parallel order to suspend relevant business or halt operation for rectification, revoke relevant business permits or operational license.

However, as of the date of this Annual Report, the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing have not yet gone into effect, it is still uncertain how PRC governmental authorities will regulate overseas listing in general and whether we are required to obtain any specific regulatory approvals or to fulfill any record-filing requirements. The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing, if enacted, may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to get the clearance of filing procedures under the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas List on a timely basis, or at all. If we do not receive any required approvals or record-filing or if we incorrectly conclude that approvals or record-filing are not required or if the CSRC or other regulatory agencies promulgate new rules, explanations or interpretations requiring that we obtain their prior approvals or ex-post record-filing for this offering and any follow-on offering, we may be unable to obtain such approvals and record-filing which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to our investors.

Furthermore, the PRC government authorities may strengthen oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers like us. Such actions taken by the PRC government authorities may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which are beyond our control. Therefore, any such action may adversely affect our operations and significantly limit or hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities and reduce the value of such securities.

As of the date of this Annual Report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have not been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review initiated by the Cyber Administration of China or related governmental regulatory authorities, and have not received any requirements to obtain permissions from any PRC authorities to issue our Ordinary Shares to foreign investors or were denied such permissions by any PRC authorities. However, given the current PRC regulatory environment, it is uncertain when and whether we or our PRC subsidiaries, will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded.

We have been closely monitoring regulatory developments in China regarding any necessary approvals from the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities required for overseas listings, including this offering. As of the date of this Annual Report, except for the potential uncertainties disclosed above, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to this offering from the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities. However, there remains significant uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities. If it is determined in the future that the approval of the CSRC, the CAC or any other regulatory authority is required for this offering, the offering will be delayed until we have obtained the relevant approvals. There is also the possibility that we may not be able to obtain or maintain such approval or that we inadvertently concluded that such approval was not required. If the approval was required while we inadvertently concluded that such approval was not required or if applicable laws and regulations or the interpretation of such were modified to require us to obtain the CSRC approval in the future, we may face sanctions by the CSRC, the CAC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operations in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our securities. The CSRC, the CAC, or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of our ordinary shares. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC, the CAC or other regulatory PRC agencies later promulgate new rules requiring that we obtain their approvals for this offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such an approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our securities.

Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

All of our assets and operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets, and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.

While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy, and the rate of growth has been slowing since 2012. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, lead to reduction in demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate adjustment, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China, which may adversely affect our business and operating results.

We may incur material product liability claims, which could increase our costs and harm our financial condition and operating results.

Our ingestible products include milk thistle extracts, apple polyphenol and other ingredients and are classified as foods or raw materials of dietary supplements and, unlike prescription medication, our product formulas are not subject to pre-market regulatory approval with respect to medical efforts in China in which our products are distributed. Our products could contain contaminated substances, and some of our products contain some ingredients that do not have long histories of human consumption. We rely upon published and unpublished safety information including clinical studies on ingredients used in our products. These studies include “Safety and toxicity of silymarin, the major constituent of milk thistle extract: An updated review” [available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.6361], “The toxicology and safety of apple polyphenol extract” [available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691504000493?via%3Dihub], “Public Announcement Regarding Haematococcus Pluvialis and Other New Resource Food” [Evaluation Division of Food Safety Standard and Inspection,” No. 17 issued on October 29, 2010] [available at http://www.nhc.gov.cn/sps/s7891/201011/7957c2f1326c4990b5e67ce2d3ceb783.shtml?from=singlemessage&isappinstalled=0] (indicating that Stachyose is a safe ordinary food) and other reports by independent research institutions. In addition, stachyose is permitted for ordinary food production by the Ministry of Health of China. We do not, however, conduct or sponsor clinical studies of our products. Previously unknown adverse reactions resulting from human consumption of these ingredients could occur. As a marketer of dietary and nutritional supplements and other products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, we may be subjected to various product liability claims, including that (i) the products contain contaminants, (ii) the products include inadequate instructions as to their uses, or (iii) the products include inadequate warnings concerning side effects and interactions with other substances. It is possible that widespread product liability claims could increase our costs, and adversely affect our revenues and operating income.

Food safety regulations regarding the raw ingredients for our products may restrict, inhibit or delay our ability to sell our products.

Before 2018, the China Food and Drug Administration, or the CFDA, had the regulatory authority to oversee, administer and enforce all laws, regulations and rules concerning the food industry business operations in China. After the institutions reformed, the CFDA has been abolished, and relevant regulatory authority has been taken over by the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR, under the State Council.

The food industry is subject to extensive regulations in China. The PRC laws and regulations governing the food industry primarily consist of the PRC Food Safety Law (2009), as last amended in 2018; the Implementation Regulation for the Food Safety Law of PRRC (2009), or the Food Safety Regulation, as amended in 2019; the Administrative Measures for Food Production Licensing (2010), or the Food Production Licensing Rule, as amended in 2020; and the Administrative Measures for Food Business Licensing (2015), or the Food Business Licensing Rule, as amended in 2017. Under the PRC Food Safety Law and the Food Safety Regulation, food product manufacturers and business operators shall obtain the required food production permits; food producers and business operators are subject to regular quality inspection and supervision by the local governmental agencies and their product permits may be revoked if they no longer meet the standards and requirements for food production and operation; food-producing enterprises shall establish and implement food safety management systems, such as ingredient inspection and acceptance, production process safety management, storage management, equipment management, and substandard product management systems; and packaging of pre-packed food shall bear a label which states manufacturing permit serial number; among other things. The State Council implements a licensing system for food product manufacture and distribution. According to the Food Production Licensing Rule, a food production license must be obtained prior to engaging in food production activities in the PRC. The Food Business Licensing Rule requires food business operators to obtain a food business license for each business entity engaging in food business operations. We have obtained the required Food Production Licenses and Food Business Licenses for related products. In order for our business to continue, we must continue to comply with all government inspection and licensing requirements. If we were to have an unsatisfactory inspection, or otherwise fail to comply with government safety regulations in all respects, our ability to continue operations and to continue to sell our products may be inhibited or delayed. Additionally, the term of Food Production Licenses and Food Business Licenses is 5 years. We have been closely monitoring the status of all the permits and have applied for renewal before the relevant licenses expired. The failure to renew the relevant licenses and/or registrations may subject us to fines or sanctions which will have negative impact on our production.

Any disruption of our factories or our suppliers’ factories could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Currently, our products are primarily produced at our factories located in China. We also rely on our suppliers to produce raw materials and components of our products. Nevertheless, natural disasters or other unanticipated catastrophic events, including storms, fires, explosions, earthquakes, terrorist attacks and wars, as well as changes in governmental planning for the land where our factories or our suppliers’ factories are located could significantly impair our ability to manufacture our products and operate our business. Catastrophic events could also destroy the inventories stored in and those suppliers’ factories. The occurrence of any catastrophic event could result in the temporary or long-term closure of manufacturing facilities, and severely disrupt our business operations.

In addition, the factories are subject to fire control and environmental inspections and regulations. As of the date of this Annual Report, we cannot assure you that all the factories were in strict compliance with such fire control and environmental inspections and regulations based on our knowledge. If such facilities fail to rectify and pass the fire control and environmental inspections or comply with relevant fire control and environmental requirements relating to production activities in a timely manner, they may be subject to fines, cohesive rectification, suspension and closure, which may materially and adversely affect the production of our factories and in turn may impact our business. In the event of any changes in the PRC laws and/or regulations and/or government policies on environmental protection and more stringent requirements are imposed on Company, we may have to incur extra costs and expenses to comply with such requirements and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, such facilities are also subject to health and safety laws and regulations imposed by the PRC governmental authorities to ensure a healthy and safe production environment. Failure to comply with the existing and future health and safety laws and regulations could subject the factories to monetary damages and fines, disruption to production plans, suspension of their operations, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our business operations. Furthermore, if any on-site personnel at such facilities is suspected of having any communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, such facilities may be subject to temporary closure and quarantine requirements, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our business operations.

Furthermore, various special equipment, such as boilers, pressure vessels, pressure pipes, and elevators, was in use on-site in these factories, which involve a high degree of safety risks. Proprietors using special equipment shall, before or within 30 days after such special equipment is put into use, handle registration with the department in charge of the supervision and administration of special equipment safety and obtain the registration license. The operators and relevant managerial staff may not engage in corresponding operations or management until they pass certain examination and acquire the certificates of special operators. As of the date of this Annual Report, we cannot assure you that all such special equipment has been registered with the local governmental authorities as legally required or all operators and relevant managerial staff have obtained relevant qualifications. Failure to comply with such regulations may subject the factories to orders to take corrective action within a stipulated time, fines and suspension of their operations, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our business operations.

Besides, some of our factories are located on leased properties. Though such leases are renewable upon expiration, our ability to renew existing leases upon their expiration is crucial to our production activities, operations and profitability. If we are unable to negotiate for a renewal of the relevant leases, we may be forced to relocate our production bases and it may be difficult and costly to replace or relocate our factories and equipment on a timely basis. We have not registered the lease agreement relating to our factories and offices with the PRC governmental authorities as required by PRC law and thus we may be ordered by the PRC government authorities to rectify such noncompliance or we may be subject to fines imposed by PRC government authorities. See also “We are subject to risks relating to our leased properties.”

If we experience any unanticipated disruptions to us or our suppliers or if we are unable to renew our current leases, our production will be severely disrupted, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to risks relating to our leased properties.

We lease certain real properties from third parties primarily for our production facilities and offices in China, and such lease agreements for these properties have not been registered with the PRC governmental authorities as required by PRC law. Although the failure to do so does not in itself invalidate the leases, we may be ordered by the PRC government authorities to rectify such noncompliance and, if such noncompliance is not rectified within a given period of time, we may be subject to fines imposed by PRC government authorities ranging from RMB1,000 and RMB10,000 for each lease agreement that has not been registered with the relevant PRC governmental authorities.

The ownership certificates or other similar proof of our leased properties have not been provided to us by the relevant lessors. Therefore, we cannot assure you that such lessors are entitled to lease the relevant real properties to us. If the lessors are not entitled to lease the real properties to us and the owners of such real properties decline to ratify the lease agreements between us and the respective lessors, we may not be able to enforce our rights to lease such properties under the respective lease agreements against the owners. As of the date of this Annual Report, we are not aware of any claim or challenge brought by any third parties concerning the use of our leased properties without obtaining proper ownership proof. If our lease agreements are claimed as null and void by third parties who are the real owners of such leased real properties, we could be required to vacate the properties, in the event of which we could only initiate the claim against the lessors under relevant lease agreements for indemnities for their breach of the relevant leasing agreements. We cannot assure you that suitable alternative locations are readily available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and if we are unable to relocate our officers in a timely manner, our operations may be interrupted.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights.

We rely on a combination of trademark, fair trade practice, patent, copyright and trade secret protection laws in China. Intellectual property protection may not be sufficient in China. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our patent rights in China. In addition, policing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult, time-consuming and costly and the steps we have taken may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and financial resources. We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. Any failure in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.

The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past four decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us.

Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in China against us or our management named in the report based on foreign laws.

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, we conduct substantially all of our operations in China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, all our senior executive officers reside within China for a significant portion of the time and most are PRC nationals. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside China. In addition, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the Cayman Islands and many other countries and regions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these non-PRC jurisdictions in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult or impossible.

Shareholder claims that are common in the United States, including securities law class actions and fraud claims, generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which was amended in December 2019, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without the consent of the competent PRC securities regulators and relevant authorities, no organization or individual may provide the documents and materials relating to securities business activities to overseas parties, leaving no mechanism to obtain information or conduct an investigation, if necessary.

We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

We are a Cayman Islands holding company and we rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiary for our cash requirements, including for services of any debt we may incur. Our subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends is based upon its distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our PRC subsidiary and its subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of their registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. A company may discontinue the contribution when the aggregate sum of the statutory surplus reserve is more than 50% of its registered capital. The statutory common reserve fund of a company shall be used to cover the losses of the company, expand the business and production of the company or be converted into additional capital. Subject to above-referenced limitations and at the discretion of board of directors, the accumulated profits after appropriation of statutory surplus reserve available for dividends were $18,703,996 and $14,695,422 as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. If our PRC subsidiary incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to distribute dividends or other payments to its shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business. As of September 30, 2023, the statutory surplus reserves of our PRC subsidiary and its subsidiaries, as percentage of their respective registered capitals, ranged from 2% to 41% and averaged 25% in the aggregate.

To address the persistent capital outflow and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and Compliance Verification, or the SAFE Circular 3, issued on January 26, 2017, provides that the banks shall, when dealing with dividend remittance transactions from domestic enterprise to its offshore shareholders of more than US$50,000, review the relevant board resolutions, original tax filing form and audited financial statements of such domestic enterprise based on the principal of genuine transaction. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiary’s dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened scrutiny in the future. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

In addition, the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax at a rate of 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless reduced under treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are tax resident. Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10% if, among other requirements, the Hong Kong enterprise directly holds at least 25% of the PRC enterprise. Under the Circular of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issues concerning the Application of the Dividend Clauses of Tax Agreements, or SAT Circular 81, promulgated by the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, on February 20, 2009, a Hong Kong resident enterprise must meet the following conditions, among others, in order to apply the reduced withholding tax rate: (i) it must be a company; (ii) it must directly own the required percentage of equity interests and voting rights in the PRC resident enterprise; and (iii) it must have directly owned such required percentage in the PRC resident enterprise throughout the 12 months prior to receiving the dividends. Nonresident enterprises are not required to obtain pre-approval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax. Instead, nonresident enterprises and their withholding agents may, by self-assessment and on confirmation that the prescribed criteria to enjoy the tax treaty benefits are met, directly apply the reduced withholding tax rate, and file necessary forms and supporting documents when performing tax filings, which will be subject to post-tax filing examinations by the relevant tax authorities. Accordingly, our Hong Kong subsidiary may be able to benefit from the 5% withholding tax rate for the dividends it receives from our PRC subsidiary, if it satisfies the conditions prescribed under the SAT Circular 81, and other relevant tax rules and regulations. However, if the relevant tax authorities consider the transactions or arrangements we have are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the reduced 5% will apply to dividends received by our Hong Kong subsidiary from our PRC subsidiary. This withholding tax will reduce the amount of dividends we may receive from our PRC subsidiary.

The custodians or authorized users of our controlling non-tangible assets, including chops and seals, may fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets.

Under the PRC laws, legal documents for corporate transactions, including agreements and contracts, are executed using the chop or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with relevant PRC market regulation authorities.

In order to secure the use of our chops and seals, we have established internal control procedures and rules for using these chops and seals. In any event that the chops and seals are intended to be used, the responsible person will submit the application which will then be verified and approved by authorized employees in accordance with our internal control procedures and rules. In addition, in order to maintain the physical security of our chops, we generally have them stored in secured locations accessible only to authorized employees. Although we monitor such authorized employees, the procedures may not be sufficient to prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. There is a risk that our employees could abuse their authority, for example, by entering into a contract not approved by us or seeking to gain control of one of our subsidiaries. If any employee obtains, misuses or misappropriates our chops and seals or other controlling non-tangible assets for whatever reason, we could experience disruption to our normal business operations. We may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve and divert management from our operations.

PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of any securities offerings to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our PRC subsidiary. We may make loans to our PRC subsidiary subject to the approval from governmental authorities and limitation of amount, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary in China.

Any loans to our PRC subsidiary in China, which is treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC laws, are subject to PRC regulations and foreign exchange loan registrations. For example, loans by us to our PRC subsidiary in China to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of the SAFE. In addition, a foreign-invested enterprise shall use its capital pursuant to the principle of authenticity and self-use within its business scope. The capital of a foreign-invested enterprise shall not be used for the following purposes: (i) directly or indirectly used for payment beyond the business scope of the enterprises or the payment prohibited by relevant laws and regulations; (ii) directly or indirectly used for investment in securities investments other than banks’ principal-secured products unless otherwise provided by relevant laws and regulations; (iii) the granting of loans to non-affiliated enterprises, except where it is expressly permitted in the business license; and (iv) paying the expenses related to the purchase of real estate that is not for self-use (except for the foreign-invested real estate enterprises).

SAFE promulgated the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Management Approach regarding the Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, effective June 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. Although SAFE Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within China, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in China in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in SAFE Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from an offering of our securities, to our PRC subsidiary, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China.

On October 23, 2019, SAFE issued the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or SAFE Circular 28, which took effect on the same day. SAFE Circular 28, subject to certain conditions, allows foreign-invested enterprises whose business scope does not include investment, or the non-investment foreign-invested enterprises, to use their capital funds to make equity investments in China. Since SAFE Circular 28 was issued only recently, its interpretation and implementation in practice are still subject to substantial uncertainties.

In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiary or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiary in China. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiary when needed. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds we may receive from any securities offerings and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

Although the audit reports included in this Annual Report was issued by U.S. auditors who are currently inspected by the PCAOB, if it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, investors would be deprived of the benefits of such inspection and our ordinary shares may be delisted or prohibited from trading.

The audit report included in this Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 2023 was issued by YCM CPA, Inc. (‘YCM”), which is a U.S.-based accounting firm that is registered with the PCAOB and can be inspected by the PCAOB. We have no intention of dismissing YCM in the future or of engaging any auditor not based in the U.S. and not subject to regular inspection by the PCAOB. As an auditor of companies that are registered with the SEC and publicly traded in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, our auditor is required under the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. If we were to engage a different auditor in the future, we would engage an auditor that is U.S.-based and subject to full PCAOB inspection with all materials related to the audit of our financial statements accessible to the PCAOB. There is no guarantee, however, that any future auditor engaged by the Company would remain subject to full PCAOB inspection during the entire term of our engagement. In such case, we will engage a new qualified and fully inspected auditor, which may result in us delaying or restating our financial statements.

Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCAA”), enacted in December 2020, if the SEC determines that an issuer has filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection for the PCAOB for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, the SEC shall prohibit its securities from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States. On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which, among other things, amended the HFCAA to reduce the time period under the HFCAA to two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years.

On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued the Determination Report which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) China of the China or Hong Kong, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in China; and (2) Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in Hong Kong. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a new Determination Report which: (1) vacated the December 16, 2021 Determination Report; and (2) concluded that the PCAOB has been able to conduct inspections and investigations completely in the PRC in 2022. The December 15, 2022 Determination Report cautions, however, that authorities in the PRC might take positions at any time that would prevent the PCAOB from continuing to inspect or investigate completely. As required by the HFCAA, if in the future the PCAOB determines it no longer can inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in the PRC, the PCAOB will act expeditiously to consider whether it should issue a new determination.

Should the PCAOB be unable to fully conduct inspection of our auditor’s work papers in China, it will make it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or equity control procedures. Investors may consequently lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures or quality of the financial statements, which would adversely affect us and out securities.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions in China and by China’s foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from any securities offerings into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.

Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.

Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company primarily relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of the SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiary in China may be used to pay dividends to our company. However, approval from or registration with appropriate governmental authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiary to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi. The PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our Shares.

Certain PRC regulations may make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions.

Among other things, the Rules on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, promulgated by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. The M&A Rules require, among other things, that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor acquires control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have or may have an impact on the national economic security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC which became effective in 2008 requires that transactions that are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover thresholds must be cleared by the MOFCOM before they can be completed. In addition, PRC national security review rules which became effective in September 2011 require acquisitions by foreign investors of PRC companies engaged in military-related or certain other industries that are crucial to national security be subject to security review before consummation of any such acquisition. We may pursue potential strategic acquisitions that are complementary to our business and operations. Complying with the requirements of these regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval or clearance from the MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.

PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiary to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, to replace the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Residents’ Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75, which ceased to be effective upon the promulgation of SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities) to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 is applicable to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future.

Under SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who control, or have prior to the implementation of SAFE Circular 37 controlled, directly or indirectly of offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, will be required to register such investments with the SAFE or its local branches. The term “control” under SAFE Circular 37 is broadly defined as the operation rights, beneficiary rights or decision-making rights acquired by PRC residents in the SPVs, by means of acquisition, trust, proxy, voting rights, repurchase, convertible bonds or other arrangements. In addition, any PRC resident who is a direct or indirect shareholder of an SPV, is required to update its filed registration with the local branch of SAFE with respect to that SPV, to reflect any material change. Moreover, any subsidiary of such SPV in China is required to urge the PRC resident shareholders to update their registration with the local branch of SAFE. If any PRC shareholder of such SPV fails to make the required registration or to update the previously filed registration, the subsidiary of such SPV in China may be prohibited from distributing its profits or the proceeds from any capital reduction, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV, and the SPV may also be prohibited from making additional capital contribution into its subsidiary in China. On February 13, 2015, the SAFE promulgated a Circular on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Circular 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015. Under SAFE Circular 13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investment and outbound overseas direct investment, including those required under the SAFE Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of the SAFE. The qualified banks will directly examine the applications and accept registrations under the supervision of the SAFE.

These regulations may have a significant impact on our present and future structuring and investment. We have requested or intend to take all necessary measures to require our shareholders who to our knowledge are PRC residents to make the necessary applications, filings and amendments as required under these regulations. However, we may not at all times be fully aware or informed of the identities of all our shareholders or beneficial owners that are required to make such registrations, and we may not always be able to compel them to comply with all relevant foreign exchange regulations. We further intend to structure and execute our future offshore acquisitions in a manner consistent with these regulations and any other relevant legislation. However, because it is presently uncertain how the SAFE regulations and any future legislation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions will be interpreted and implemented by the relevant government authorities in connection with our future offshore financings or acquisitions, we cannot provide any assurances that we will be able to comply with, qualify under, or obtain any approvals required by the regulations or other legislation. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that any PRC shareholders of our company or any PRC company into which we invest will be able to comply with those requirements. Any failure or inability by such individuals or entities to comply with SAFE regulations may subject us to fines or legal sanctions, such as restrictions on our cross-border investment activities or our PRC subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends to, or obtain foreign exchange-denominated loans from, our company or prevent us from making distributions or paying dividends. As a result, our business operations and our ability to make distributions to you could be materially and adversely affected.

Furthermore, as these foreign exchange regulations are still relatively new and their interpretation and implementation have been constantly evolving, it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant governmental authorities. For example, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.

Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans of overseas, publicly listed company may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies before they obtain the incentive shares or exercise the share options. In the meantime, our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who are non-PRC citizens residing in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to limited exceptions, and who have been granted incentive share awards by us, may follow the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Relating to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company, or the SAFE Circular 7, promulgated by the SAFE in 2012. Pursuant to the SAFE Circular 7, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be the PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas entrusted institution must be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. Since We are an overseas listed company pursuant to the SAFE Circular 7, our executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or non-PRC citizen residing in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted options will be subject to these regulations. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines of up to RMB300,000 for entities and up to RMB50,000 for individuals, and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiary and limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends to us.

The SAT has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, our employees working in China who exercise share options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Our PRC subsidiary has obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If our employees fail to pay or we fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities.

If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In 2009, the SAT issued the Circular of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Identification of Chinese-controlled Overseas Registered Enterprises as Resident Enterprises in accordance with the Actual Standards of Organizational Management, or the SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the places where the senior management and senior management departments responsible for the daily production, operation and management of the enterprise perform their duties are mainly located within the territory of the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial matters (such as money borrowing, lending, financing and financial risk management) and human resource matters (such as appointment, dismissal and salary and wages) are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC. In addition, the SAT issued the Bulletin of the State Administration of Taxation on Printing and Distributing the Administrative Measures for Income Tax on Chinese-controlled Resident Enterprises Incorporated Overseas (Trial Implementation) in 2011, providing more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82. This bulletin clarifies matters including resident status determination, post determination administration, and competent tax authorities. In January 2014, the SAT issued the Bulletin of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues concerning the Determination of Resident Enterprises Based on the Standards of Actual Management Institutions, or SAT Bulletin 9. According to SAT Bulletin 9, a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise that satisfies the conditions prescribed under the SAT Circular 82 for being recognized as a PRC tax resident must apply for being recognized as a PRC tax resident to the competent tax authority at the place of registration of its main investor within the territory of China.

We believe that Bon Natural Life Limited is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. See “Regulation—Regulations Relating to Tax—Enterprise Income Tax.” However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” If the PRC tax authorities determine that Bon Natural Life Limited or any of our offshore subsidiaries is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we and our offshore subsidiary will be subject to PRC enterprise income on their worldwide income at the rate of 25%, which would materially reduce our net income. Furthermore, if we are treated as a PRC tax resident enterprise, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders may be subject to PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends payable to our non-PRC individual shareholders and any gain realized on the transfer of ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of Bon Natural Life Limited would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that Bon Natural Life Limited is treated as a PRC resident enterprise.

We may incur liability for unpaid taxes, including interest and penalties.

In the normal course of business, our Company may be subject to challenges from various PRC taxing authorities regarding the amounts of taxes due. PRC taxing authorities may take the position that the Company owes more taxes than it has paid. The Company recorded tax liabilities of $2.7 million as of September 30, 2023, primarily including $1.3 million in income tax payable and $1.3 million in unpaid value added taxes (“VAT” tax). It is possible that the tax liability of the Company for past taxes may be higher than those amounts, if the PRC authorities determine that we are subject to interest and penalties or that we have not paid the correct amount. To the extent our Company is unable to settle its tax liabilities as scheduled, or interest and penalties on unpaid tax liabilities assessed by tax authorities greatly exceed management’s estimates, our financial condition and operating results may be negatively impacted.

We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued a Bulletin of State Administration of Taxation on Several Issues concerning the Enterprise Income Tax on the Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-resident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7, which came into effect on February 3, 2015, but will also apply to cases where their PRC tax treatments are not yet concluded. Pursuant to SAT Bulletin 7, an ‘‘Indirect Transfer’’ of PRC assets, including a transfer of equity interests in an unlisted non-PRC holding company of a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of the underlying PRC assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise.

On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Bulletin of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. The SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of non-resident enterprise income tax.

Where a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets in China indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity whose equity is transferred, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Under the “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and we may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is a transferee in such transactions, under SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37. For transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiary may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

If our preferential tax treatments and government subsidies are revoked or become unavailable or if the calculation of our tax liability is successfully challenged by the PRC tax authorities, we may be required to pay tax, interest and penalties in excess of our tax provisions.

The Chinese government has provided tax incentives to our operating subsidiary in China, including reduced enterprise income tax rates. For example, under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, the statutory enterprise income tax rate is 25%. However, the income tax of an enterprise that has been determined to be a high and new technology enterprise can be reduced to a preferential rate of 15%. According to the Administrative Measures for the Accreditation of High-tech Enterprises promulgated by three PRC regulatory agencies, including SAT, the qualification of high and new enterprise is effective for a renewable three-year permitted. If our operating subsidiary fails to renew the qualification of high and new enterprise, it will be subject to the statutory enterprise income tax rate of 25%. In addition, our operating subsidiary enjoys local government subsidies. Any increase in the enterprise income tax rate applicable to our PRC subsidiary or our operating subsidiary in China, or any discontinuation, retroactive or future reduction or refund of any of the preferential tax treatments and local government subsidies currently enjoyed by our operating subsidiary in China, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Further, in the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to complex income tax and other tax regulations, and significant judgment is required in the determination of a provision for income taxes. Although we believe our tax provisions are reasonable, if the PRC tax authorities successfully challenge our position and we are required to pay tax, interest, and penalties in excess of our tax provisions, our financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

Our failure to fully comply with PRC labor-related laws may expose us to potential penalties.

Companies operating in China are required to participate in mandatory employee social security schemes that are organized by municipal and provincial governments, including pension insurance, unemployment insurance, childbirth insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance and housing provident funds. Such schemes have not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations, but generally require us to make contributions to employee social security plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our eligible full-time employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time. We have accrued in financial statements but not made full contributions to the social insurance and housing provident funds in accordance for our eligible full-time employees as required by the relevant PRC laws and regulations. As the date of this Annual Report, none of our subsidiaries had received any notice from local authorities or any claim or request from the employees in this regard. Our failure to make full contributions to social insurance and to comply with applicable PRC labor-related laws regarding housing funds may subject us to late payment penalties and other fines or labor disputes, and we could be required to make up the contributions for these plans, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

According to applicable PRC laws and regulations, employers must open social insurance registration accounts and housing provident fund accounts and pay social insurance and housing provident funds for employees. Our PRC subsidiary or some its subsidiaries have not opened social insurance registration accounts or housing provident fund accounts. We may be subject to penalties imposed by the local social insurance authorities and the local housing provident fund management centers for failing to discharge our obligations in relation to payment of social insurance and housing provident funds as an employer.

Our failure to fully comply with PRC construction-related laws may expose us to potential penalties.

Our PRC subsidiary has rented a factory in Weinan, Shaanxi for use as our Weinan Raw Materials and Ingredients Production Site (See “History and Organizational Structure—Property, Plants, and Equipment — Weinan Raw Materials and Ingredients Production Site”). The landlord constructed some buildings of this production site without obtaining the planning permits, construction permits, or going through the completion filing, fire safety filing, or environmental protection procedures in accordance with the PRC laws and regulations. Such failure to comply with the relevant laws and regulations may subject us to administrative penalties, including but not limited to paying fines, being required to stop using or demolishing such buildings. As the date of this Annual Report, our PRC subsidiary and its subsidiaries have not received any notice or any claim from the local authorities with respect to such buildings. We will urge the landlord to apply for relevant permits and handle relevant procedures or filings with the local authorities.

Such buildings are mostly used as the warehouses. If the local authorities require us to stop using such buildings, we will need to rent new warehouses, which may affect our normal operations and cause operating losses. But we believe that the amount of the loss will not exceed 3% of the Company’s sale revenues. In addition, the lease term of this production site will expire on December 31, 2024. At that time, we may not renew the lease of this production site and may transfer the production to a new production base.

Risks Related to our Securities

The trading price for our Shares may fluctuate significantly, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

Our Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BON.” We can provide no assurance that the trading price of our Shares will not decline. As a result, investors in our securities may experience a significant decrease in the value of their Shares.

The trading price of our Shares can be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our Shares may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:

Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our Shares will trade.

In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Certain existing shareholders have substantial influence over our company and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.

Our directors and officers collectively own an aggregate of 13.56% of the total voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares. As a result, they have substantial influence over our business, including significant corporate actions such as mergers, consolidations, sales of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions.

They may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of the Shares. These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. In addition, the significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of the Shares due to investors’ perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise. For more information regarding our principal shareholders and their affiliated entities, see “Principal Shareholders.”

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Shares, the market price for our Shares and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our Shares will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our Shares, the market price for our Shares would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for our Shares to decline.

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our Shares could adversely affect their market price.

Sales of substantial amounts of our Shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Shares and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. Shares held by our existing shareholders may be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our Shares.

Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of our Shares for return on your investment.

We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our Shares as a source for any future dividend income.

Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our Shares will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our Shares. There is no guarantee that our Shares will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the Shares. You may not realize a return on your investment in our Shares and you may even lose your entire investment in our Shares.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. To the extent we choose to follow home country practice with respect to corporate governance matters, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law.”

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, all of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China, see “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.

Because we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including: (i) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (iii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and (iv) the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.

We are required to file an Annual Report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we will continue to publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information, which would be made available to you, were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to, and we will, rely on exemptions from certain Nasdaq Stock Exchange corporate governance standards applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our shares.

We are exempted from certain corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange by virtue of being a foreign private issuer. We are required to provide a brief description of the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the corporate governance practices required to be followed by domestic U.S. companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. The standards applicable to us are considerably different than the standards applied to domestic U.S. issuers. For instance, we are not required to:

We have relied on and intend to continue to rely on some of these exemptions. As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

If we fail to establish and maintain proper internal financial reporting controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.

Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. In the course of auditing our consolidated financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we identified several material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and other control deficiencies as of September 30, 2023. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The material weaknesses identified to date relate to a lack of accounting staff and resources with appropriate knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and SEC reporting and compliance requirements.

Following the identification of the material weaknesses and control deficiencies, we have taken remedial measures including (i) hiring more qualified accounting personnel with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and to set up a financial and system control framework; (ii) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel; and (iii) setting up an internal audit function as well as engaging an external consulting firm to assist us with assessment of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements and improvement of overall internal control.

As of the date of this Annual Report, we have not fully addressed the above-referenced weaknesses. However, we have made progress in implementing remedial measures, specifically:

We plan to fully implement the above-referenced measures prior to December 31, 2024.

The implementation of these measures may not fully address the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. Our failure to correct theses material weaknesses or our failure to discover and address any other material weaknesses could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and could also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ordinary shares, may be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting significantly hinders our ability to prevent fraud. In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, after we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.

There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our ordinary shares.

A non-U.S. corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income; or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). Based on our current and expected income and assets, we do not presently expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC is a fact-intensive inquiry made on an annual basis that depends, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets. Fluctuations in the market price of our Shares may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years because the value of our assets for the purpose of the asset test may be determined by reference to the market price of our Shares. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets.

If we were to be or become a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (as defined in “Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations”) holds our ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. Holder. See “Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”

We commenced our natural products and ingredients business through Xi’an App-Chem Bio(Tech) Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an App-Chem”), a corporation formed in the People’s Republic of China in April of 2006. On April 23, 2006, Xi’an App-Chem received its Business License (Registration No.: 6101012116403) from the Xi’an Administration for Industry and Commerce.

On December 11, 2019, Bon Natural Life Limited was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as our offshore holding company to facilitate financing and offshore listing. Bon Natural Life Limited subsequently established a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (“WOFE”) in PRC China, Xi’an CMIT Information and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an CMIT”). Xi’an CMIT is wholly owned by our direct subsidiary in Hong Kong, Tea Essence.

Initial Public Offering

On June 28, 2021, the Company closed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of 2,200,000 ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share at a public offering price of $5.00 per share, and the Company’s ordinary shares started to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BON” since June 24, 2021. On July 2, 2021, the underwriters exercised its over-allotment option to purchase an additional 330,000 shares, par value US$0.0001 per share at the price of $5.00 per share. Gross proceeds of the Company’s IPO, including the proceeds from the sale of the over-allotment shares, totaled $12.65 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $11.3 million.

Note regarding financial statements in this Annual Report

The financial statements in this Annual Report and the accompanying footnotes, with regard to the prior fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, were prepared for a period in which we were operating under a variable interest entity structure and contain various references the former VIE agreements and related matters. We do not believe that the termination of the VIE agreements, which occurred effective November 1, 2021, will have material impact on our operations going forward in terms of any impairment of our total assets, or any adverse effect on our business, financial conditions or results of operations, as no changes in control occurred as a result of the termination of our VIE agreements. Therefore, the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the operation results of the same entities under common control before and after the restructuring.

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this Annual Report:

The structure of cash flows within our organization, and the applicable regulations, are as follows:

To address persistent capital outflows and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened scrutiny in the future. The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments.

In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax at a rate of 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless reduced under treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and the governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are tax resident. Pursuant to the tax agreement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10%. However, if the relevant tax authorities determine that our transactions or arrangements are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the reduced 5% withholding rate will apply to dividends received by our Hong Kong subsidiary from our PRC subsidiaries. This withholding tax will reduce the amount of dividends we may receive from our PRC subsidiaries.

Xi’an App-Chem’s Operating Subsidiaries

The table below provides a summary of Xi’an App-Chem’s operating subsidiaries (“Bon Operating Companies”) and their primary business functions as of the date of this Annual Report:

All of our actual business operations are conducted through Xi’an App-Chem and its subsidiaries. Bon Natural Life Limited (the Cayman Islands holding company offering securities through the previously filed prospectus), its immediate Hong Kong subsidiary Tea Essence, and Tea Essence’s subsidiaries Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui, function solely as holding companies.

Recent Developments

Nasdaq Notification Letter

On June 12, 2023, the Company received a letter (the “Notification Letter”) from Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”), notifying the Company that it has not been in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive days, as required by the Nasdaq Rules for continued listing (the “Rules”). In accordance with the Rules, the Company was initially provided 180 calendar days, or until December 11, 2023, to regain compliance with the Rules.

Although the Company’s ordinary shares have not yet regained compliance with the minimum $1 bid price per share requirement, Nasdaq has determined that the Company is eligible for an additional 180 calendar day period, or until June 10, 2024, to regain compliance. This determination is based on the Company meeting the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other applicable requirements for initial listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market with the exception of the bid price requirement, and the Company’s written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. If at any time during this additional time period the closing bid price of the Company’s security is at least $1 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, Nasdaq will provide written confirmation of compliance and this matter will be closed. If compliance cannot be demonstrated by June 10, 2024, Nasdaq will provide written notification that the Company’s securities will be delisted.

Public Offering of Shares and Warrants

On March 30, 2023, Company engaged in a public offering of up to $3,000,000 worth of ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”) in three (3) equal tranches at the subscription price as defined below. Shares issued in the first tranche will be issued on the first trading day that occurs after 15 calendar days from the filing date of the Company’s Listing of Additional Shares Notification Form with Nasdaq. The second tranche of Shares will be issued on the 11th trading day from the closing date of the first tranche. Shares issued in the third tranche will be issued on the 11th trading day from the closing date of the second tranche.

The Shares will be priced at the lower of (a) $1.00 per share or (b) 80% of the market closing price for the Company’s Shares as reported by the Nasdaq Capital Market on the trading day immediately preceding the closing date for the initial tranche. The subscription price for the first closing date shall remain fixed and will be the subscription price for all the remaining closing dates thereafter.

Together with each Share subscribed for, the Company will issue one (1) warrant to purchase one (1) Share at an exercise price equal to 120% of the subscription price, exercisable for a period of thirty-six (36) months following the closing date (the “Warrants”).

We registered the Shares by way of a prospectus supplement to our currently effective unallocated shelf registration statement on Form F-3, (SEC File No. 333-267116).

On August 3, 2023, the Company terminated its direct public offering of up to $3,000,000 worth of ordinary shares of the Company (the “Shares”) as described in its Prospectus Supplement dated March 30, 2023 (the “Offering”). The Offering was made by way of such Prospectus Supplement under the Company’s currently effective unallocated shelf registration statement on Form F-3, (SEC File No. 333-267116). Two (2) investors subscribed in the Offering, but neither of them completed valid payment of the required subscription price. As a result, no shares were validly issued in the Offering.

Close of Private Offering

On January 17, 2023, we closed a private offering of ordinary shares and warrants to purchase ordinary shares. A total of 2,750,000 ordinary shares (the “Shares”) were issued to a total of five (5) investors (the “Investors”) at a subscription price of $0.80 per share, for total subscription proceeds of $2,200,000. In addition, for each share subscribed for by the Investors, we issued one (1) warrant to purchase one (1) ordinary share at an exercise price of $0.88 per share, exercisable for a period of twenty-four (24) months (the “Warrants”). We have agreed to register the Investors’ re-sale of the Shares by way of a prospectus supplement to our currently effective unallocated shelf registration statement on Form F-3, (SEC File No. 333-267116). The offer and sale of the Shares and the Warrants was exempt under Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). We engaged in no general solicitation or advertising with regard to the offering and the offering was made solely to “Accredited Investors” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

Completion of the Initial Public Offering (“IPO”)

On June 28, 2021, the Company closed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of 2,200,000 ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share at a public offering price of $5.00 per share, and the Company’s ordinary shares started to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BON” since June 24, 2021. On July 2, 2021, the underwriters exercised its over-allotment option to purchase an additional 330,000 shares, par value US$0.0001 per share at the price of $5.00 per share. Gross proceeds of the Company’s IPO, including the proceeds from the sale of the over-allotment shares, totaled $12.65 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $11.3 million.

Acquisition of Land Use Right for Construction of a New Manufacturing Facility

On May 10, 2021, we acquired a land use right of 8.2 acres at cost of $267,000, through a government organized auction bidding in Yumen City, Gansu Province of China. We have the right to use this land for 50 years until to May 9, 2071. We plan to construct a new manufacturing facility on this land. Total budget for construction of this new manufacturing plant (“Yumen Plant”) is around $5.6 million. The construction of Yumen Project was initially expected to be completed by October 2022. Due to resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the implementation of significant governmental measures, including lockdowns, closures, quarantines and travel bans, the construction work is estimated to be completed in December 2024.

Newly formed subsidiary

On September 8, 2021, Xi’an Youpincui Biotechnology Co., Ltd (“Xi’an Youpincui”) was formed as a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (“WFOE”) in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Tea Essence Limited, our direct wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in Hong Kong, owns 100% equity interest in Xi’an Youpincui.

On February 7, 2023, Bon Natural Life U.S.A. Limited (“Bon Natural Life U.S.A.”) was incorporated in accordance with the laws and regulations in the State of Nevada, which is wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

On March 9, 2023, Bozhou DT was formed in the PRC as a wholly owned subsidiary of Xi’an App-Chem.

Terminating the VIE agreements for corporate restructuring

Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership in companies that engage in online sales China, we originally carried out our business through Xi’an App-Chem, a domestic PRC company holding a value-added telecommunications license, through a variable interest entity structure, because foreign investment in the value-added telecommunication services industry in China is extensively regulated and subject to numerous restrictions. However, our online sales have historically generated minimal revenues. On September 28, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring of our corporate structure to terminate the original VIE contractual agreements, to convert Xi’an App-Chem from a PRC domestic company into a Sino-foreign joint venture, and to transfer 100% of the ownership interests in Xi’an App-Chem from its original shareholders to Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui. On October 21, 2021, Xi’an Ap-Chem’s original shareholders signed the share transfer agreement to transfer their 100% ownership interest in Xi-an App-Chem to Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui. On October 22, 2021, Xi-an App-Chem completed its business license registration with PRC government and became a Sino-foreign joint venture.

Effective November 1, 2021, we completed the reorganization of our corporate structure in the PRC and are the indirect sole shareholder of Xi’an App-Chem. Xi’an App-Chem is wholly-owned by two WOFEs Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui. Each of the WOFEs are in turn wholly-owned by Tea Essence, our direct wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong. Xi’an App-Chem’s financial results are consolidated into our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP because we have control over that entity by way of 100% share ownership through Tea Essence, and in turn, Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui. The termination of the VIE agreements as described above does not adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations because we, together with our wholly owned subsidiaries, are effectively controlled by the same shareholders before and after the restructuring. The restructuring is therefore considered to be a recapitalization of entities under common control. Following the corporate restructuring, the value-added telecommunication license held by Xi’an App-Chem has been revoked and we’re investigating other feasible ways to explore online sales business.

COVID-19 Impact

Our business operations have been affected and may continue to be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although we resumed our operations since early March 2020 and the impact of COVID-19 on our operating results and financial performance for fiscal year 2021, 2022 and 2023 were temporary, a resurgence could negatively affect the execution of customer contracts, the collection of customer payments, or disrupt our supply chain, and the continued uncertainties associated with COVID 19 may cause our revenue and cash flows to underperform in the next 12 months from the date of issuance of our 2023 consolidated financial statements. The extent of the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operations is still uncertain.

Key Financial Performance Indicators

In assessing our financial performance, we consider a variety of financial performance measures, including principal growth in net revenue and gross profit, our ability to control costs and operating expenses to improve our operating efficiency and net income. Our review of these indicators facilitates timely evaluation of the performance of our business and effective communication of results and key decisions, allowing our business to respond promptly to competitive market conditions and different demands and preferences from our customers. The key measures that we use to evaluate the performance of our business are set forth below and are discussed in greater details under “Results of Operations.”

Business

Overview

Xi’an App-Chem’s business focuses on the manufacturing of personal care ingredients, such as plant extracted fragrance compounds to perfume and fragrance manufacturers, natural health supplements such as powder drinks and bioactive food ingredient products mostly used as food additives and nutritional supplements by its customers. Xi’an App-Chem is devoted to providing high quality and competitive prices and a stable supply of products and services for the functional food, personal care, natural medicine and other industries. It provides these products and services for third party customers, as well as for its own proprietary brands. With “nourish life with natural essence” as the business concept, and “becoming an innovator (leader) of natural functional ingredients and an integrated supplier of great health industry” as the goal, after more than 14 years of efforts, Xi’an App-Chem has formed four technology platforms respectively for natural product large-scale separation, natural product safety improvement, natural product activity enhancement, and natural product function compounding. Its products have not been approved as effective in treating or preventing any health conditions and/or diseases by a regulatory agency in the PRC.

We were co-founded by a team of top-level executives from China’s domestic natural products industry, together with experts returned from overseas. For the past 10 years, we have focused on the core needs of the natural products industry, emphasizing technological innovation and supply chain integration. We are devoted to providing a stable supply of high-quality products and services at competitive prices for the functional food, personal care, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. “Nourish life with natural essence” is our business concept, and “Becoming an innovative leader of natural functional ingredients and an integrated supplier for the health industry” is our goal. We have formed four technology platforms as follows:

The four technical platforms are utilized throughout the production process of our products with applications illustrated as follows:

Technical Platform 1. Commercial scale natural ingredient extraction and separation platform:

Technical Platform 2. Natural extraction safety improvement and assurance platform:

Technical Platform 3. Bioactive ingredient of natural extract enhancement

Technical Platform 4. Natural extract formulation technology platform

With the combination and application of the above technology platforms, we seek to produce products with high quality assurance.

In addition, based on our technology for rehabilitation of the human microbiome, cell death regulation, and anti-aging product development, we are able to provide products and services advantageous in terms of cost, safety, performance, function and other aspects for customers in the food, personal care, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

The services provided to our customers include customized product development and formulation and after-sale and technical support. These services are value-added provided to our customers to enhance customer loyalty and our competitiveness in the marketplace.

Product Categories

Fragrance compounds:

While some perfumers may still use the expensive and hard-to-find substance ambergris, which is produced in the intestines of sperm whales, the industry now increasingly uses a substance known as “ambroxide,” synthesized from the compound “sclareol” found in clary sage plant. Ambroxide is used both as a fragrance and as a “fixative” for making scents linger longer in products. Made by our proprietary microbial fermentation process and molecular distillation technology, our ambroxide products are produced with higher purity and yield than industry average. Based on product testing reports, we have determined that our ambroxide products are produced with 99.5% purity and above, while the industry average is approximately 99.0%. The yield of our ambroxide production is approximately 63%. Our management believes the industry average yield for ambroxide production to be approximately 40% to 43%.

Health supplements (natural, functional active ingredients for powder drinks):

Based on our accumulations in natural functional components separation, biological activity research, product application development, natural product supply chain and other areas, we are able to provide a host of solutions for functional food (health products, nutrients, etc.), functional personal care products (whitening, moisturizing, anti-acne, etc.), natural medicine and other needs, including formulation development, ingredients supply, and product OEM. In addition, we have launched new over-the-counter products, including Bon Natural Micro-eco Hair Repair Shampoo; Tianmei Jinghao Nutrition Powder. We are also in the development stage of more innovative products using natural, functional ingredients intended for the precise regulation and control of the humane micro-biome. Examples include our DuiJiuDangGe (JiuGe) and Gout Ease (Feng Qing Ping). Our products have not been approved as effective in treating or preventing any health conditions and/or diseases by a regulatory agency in the PRC.

Bioactive food ingredients:

Aside from macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fatty acids, the term “bioactive food ingredients” refers to natural compounds, mainly from plant foods, with specific physiological functions. These include flavonoids, phenolic acids, organic sulfides, terpenoids and carotenoids, coenzyme Q, γ-aminobutyric acid, melatonin, and L-carnitine and other biologically active ingredients derived from animal food. These ingredients are believed to participate in the regulation of physiology and pathophysiology, such that food containing these ingredients is believed to have specific functions in addition to basic nutrition.

Our biologically active food ingredients and their main uses are as follows:

1. Apple polyphenol: widely used in high-end personal care products such as weight loss, blood lipid reduction, anti-aging beauty, whitening, anti-wrinkle and other high-end personal care products.

2. Stachyose: Stachyose is a prebiotic, which can promote the proliferation of human intestinal probiotics. It is widely used in dairy products, health drinks, personal care, health care products, ice cream, Chinese medicine, and other industries.

3. Milk thistle extract: A flavonoid derived from the plant milk thistle. It is known to have (but has not been scientifically proven to have) liver protection, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and blood pressure effects. It is used to seek to improve liver diseases caused by alcohol and environmental toxins.

4. Pomegranate extract: A plant-extracted polyphenol with potential effects of anti-oxidation, anti-aging, blood pressure lowering and whitening effects, and can be used in food, medicine and cosmetics.

Our Manufacturing Process

The following chart illustrates our main manufacturing process from raw material purchase to finish products:

Our health supplements (powder drinks) are made with naturally extracted active ingredients. For example, stachyose is a single prebiotic, which seeks to accelerate proliferation of bacillus bifidus. Used together with other prebiotic bacteria, it helps greatly in adjusting intestinal bacteria groups, relieving constipation and keeping intestines youthful and perpetually healthy. Our quality control is throughout the entire production and starts souring from the farms with superior quality. The first step is anti-degradation extraction with a special protective agent followed by continuous resin chromatographic separation and purification to produce high purity stachyose.

Our fragrance compound products are plant-based natural extracts widely used as fixatives in fragrance, detergent, health supplements and tobacco flavoring. There are three different products being produced along our proprietary manufacturing process, Sclareol, Sclareolide and Ambroxide. Our manufacturing process of clary sage products can be summarized as: i) continuous countercurrent extraction to ensure faster, more efficient and higher yield than traditional extraction methods; ii) molecular distillation to improve evaporation velocity, and liquid film distribution as well as to reduce heating time and degradation of thermo-sensitive materials; iii) biological transformation with water as media, thus no chemical or heavy metal residues; followed by catalytic reduction; and iv) supramolecular crystal reconstruction to produce our fine ambroxide for use in fragrance or detergent fixatives.

An example of our bioactive food ingredients is apple polyphenols, which are major antioxidants extracted from apples and may contribute to color, flavor, odor and oxidative stability. Therefore, apple polyphenols are widely used in various applications, including health supplements, cosmetics, and food preservation. Our proprietary manufacturing process of apple polyphenols principally involves the following steps: continuous anti-oxidant extraction, and continuous resin chromatographic separation and purification.

Intellectual Property

Patents

As a result of our collection of academic and technological expertise, as of September 30, 2023, we had 12 approved patents and 1 applying patent in China, as set forth in the following table:

Key Suppliers and Customers

We enjoy a broad network of raw materials suppliers and customers and distributors. Our relationships with our customers and suppliers are based on standardized terms for the supply of specific products with a specific ingredient purity, referred to as content %. Payment terms are a mixture of cash on delivery and a specifically-agreed maximum days payable outstanding (“DPO”).

Below is a tabular summary of our relationships with our most important suppliers:

The principal raw materials used for our production are various natural and plant-based extracts. For the years ended September 30, 2023, three suppliers accounted for approximately 41.8%, 29.5%, and 11.19% of the total purchases, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2022, four suppliers accounted for approximately 24.6%, 15.0%, 11.9% and 10.7% of the total purchases, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2021, two suppliers accounted for approximately 30.1% and 13.4% of the total purchases, respectively. A change in suppliers, however, could cause a delay in manufacturing and a possible loss of sales, which would adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.

Below is a tabular summary of our relationships with our most important customers:

We sell our products primarily through direct distributors in the PRC and, to some extent, to overseas customers in Europe. For the year ended September 30, 2023, three customers accounted for 42.7%, 24.7%, and 13.2% of the Company’s total revenue, respectively. For the year ended September 30, 2022, three customers accounted for 35.5%, 23.9%, and 15.4% of the Company’s total revenue, respectively. For the year ended September 30, 2021, two customers accounted for 35.5% and 26.1% of the Company’s total revenue, respectively.

Marketing and Competition

Market Focus — Raw Materials and Ingredients and Functional Health

Our product sales are carried out by two teams within our sales department – Raw Materials and Ingredients and Functional Health. Our Raw Material Ingredients Team sells natural active ingredients such as stachyose, apple polyphenol, Ambroxide, and others to customers in the functional food and personal care industries, accounting for around 70% of the company’s total sales. The Functional Health Team focuses on human micro-biome adjustment and control products, providing small and medium-sized customers in the Chinese domestic Big Health industry with one-stop solutions from product design, research and development, and procurement to OEM in digestive health, metabolic health, immune health and other fields. The Functional Health Team accounts for about 30% of the company’s overall business. Our marketing efforts are focused in two areas – the international market and the domestic Chinese market. The international market is dominated by raw materials and ingredients, while the domestic market is primarily focused on functional health.

Our raw materials and ingredients businesses are promoted through exhibitions, professional journals, academic conferences, and social platforms (social broadcasting), with academic promotion of professional knowledge and general scientific knowledge being the main methods. We are committed to promoting and maintaining our brand image in the natural ingredients industry. Our brands and slogans, such as App-Chem, App-Chem Stachyose for Healthy Digestion in China (“天美水苏糖，健康中国肠”), App-Chem Cares Life (“天然至美呵护生命至美”). are well recognized and widely praised in the industry. We have established a strong and widely known reputation in the international natural products industry, especially in the field of micro-biome health.

Our functional health business focuses on adjustment and control of the micro-biome and focuses on immune health and digestion health as the target market. The Company promotes itself through exhibition, social platforms (stachyose social broadcasting), and Internet promotions (Ning Xiang Tang Nutrition Powder, and Tianmei Jinghao Nutrition Powder). Through continuous efforts, the Company has established a sound reputation in the Great Health industry and has become a preferred supplier for several leading clients both at home and abroad.

Leading Competitors

Our main competitors are suppliers of functional ingredients, nutrition food, and traditional Chinese medicine functional food in the Big Health industry. They are as follows:

QHT- a leading probiotics supplier in China

Quantum Hi-Tech (China) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., publicly listed in 2010, is a national hi-tech enterprise committed to micro-ecology health. As a leading enterprise in the micro-ecological health industry, Quantum Bio has brands like Oligo, and Sheng He Tang, and operates the largest production site of oligosaccharide in China. QHT focuses on the field of probiotics with products like oligosaccharide and galactooligosaccharide, which can regulate intestinal microecological balance in dual manner by stimulating beneficial bacteria and inhibiting harmful bacteria. These products have been identified by the Public Nutrition and Development Center of the Macro Economy Institution of the National Development and Reform Commission as advocacy products of nutrition and health, and emerging products with wide-ranging and promising applications. In 2013, Forbes China included QHT in its Top 200 Listed Small- and Medium-sized Asian Enterprises. QHT and its logo are a well-known trademark in China. As of March 2020, QHT’s total market value reached US $1 billion.

Chenguang Biotech (CCGB)- a leading natural ingredients supplier in China

Chenguang Biotech Group Co., Ltd., another publicly listed company, has twenty subsidiaries and is an export- and foreign-exchange-generation-oriented enterprise which integrates intensive processing of agricultural products and extract of natural plants. It mainly develops and produces natural colors, natural spice extracts and essential oils, natural nutrition and medicinal extracts, and protein oils. Among its products, the production and sales volume of natural colors is the highest in China, and that of capsanthin the highest in the world. Its chili extracts account for over 85% of total domestic output for that product. Its lutein, beet red and other varieties occupy a significant share of world production. As of March 2020, the total market value of Chenguang Biotech Group Co., Ltd. reached ¥ 4.7 billion.

Tong Ren Tang- a leading producer of traditional Chinese medicine and health products in China

Beijing Tong Ren Tang (Group) Co., Ltd., a wholly state-owned company, is authorized by the municipal government to operate state-owned assets. It was founded in 1669, with a history of 343 years. The group adheres to the development strategy of “taking modern traditional Chinese medicine as the core, developing life and health industry, and becoming an internationally renowned modern traditional Chinese medicine group”. It takes “growing, strengthening and expanding” as its policy, and takes innovation and technology as its mission. Its sales revenue, profits, export earnings and the number of overseas terminals rank first in the industry in China. Since 1997, Tong Ren Tang has maintained sustained and healthy development, with its economic indicators reaching double-digit growth for 15 consecutive years, doubling every five years. As of 2011, the group has a total asset of ¥14 billion, a sales revenue of ¥16.3 billion, a profit of ¥1.316 billion, and foreign exchange earnings of $33.92 million. It has set up 64 pharmacies and 1 overseas production and research base in 16 overseas countries and regions. Its products are sold to more than 40 overseas countries and regions.

At the same time, Tong Ren Tang’s dual function of being both an economic entity and a cultural carrier has become increasingly apparent. It has achieved fruitful results in brand maintenance and promotion, cultural innovation and inheritance. The “Tong Ren Tang traditional Chinese medicine culture” has been approved as one of the first items to be included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. It has signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) to jointly promote Tong Ren Tang traditional Chinese medicine culture and has further strengthened the overseas dissemination of Tong Ren Tang Culture by using the Confucius Institute platform. As of March 2020, Tong Ren Tang’s total market value reached ¥ 34.3 billion.

BY-HEALTH- a leading supplier of nutrients by indirect selling in China

Founded in October 1995, BY-HEALTH introduced dietary supplements into China’s indirect selling market systematically in 2002. It has since grown rapidly into a leading brand and benchmark enterprise of dietary supplements in China. In August 2010, Yao Ming, the former international basketball superstar, signed contract to become its brand ambassador. On December 15, 2010, BY-HEALTH was listed on the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) of Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

For more than a decade, BY-HEALTH has been adhering to differentiated global quality strategy in three steps, namely, from global raw materials procurement, to establishment of its global base for the sole purpose of supplying raw materials, and then to the establishment of a global self-owned organic farm. So far, BY-HEALTH has sources of raw materials from 23 countries and regions worldwide. It has set up 5 exclusive raw materials bases in Brazil, Australia and other places. Now, its own organic farms are under planning. BY-HEALTH will make unremitting efforts to select high-quality raw materials from all over the world, bringing together the essence of nutrition, and building a “United Nations” of nutrients that selects the best from the better. As of March 2020, the total market value of BY-HEALTH reached ¥ 27.2 billion.

Competitive Challenges and Advantages

Our competitors’ main advantages are as follows:

Compared with our main competitors, our advantages are mainly reflected in the following two aspects:

Development and Expansion Strategy

The key components of our development and expansion strategy over the next two-to-three years are as follows:

Raw Material and Ingredients

Using our current projects as a foothold, we intend to expand our plants to increase productivity and enlarge our markets to ensure sustainable growth. Over the next two to three years, our raw materials and ingredients business will be centered on the Great Health market and focus on the core needs of the functional food and personal care industries. We view our current business in this area as foundation from which we can expand our plants, increase our productivity, improve our technology and equipment, optimize our supply chain, and broaden our sales channels to ensure a steady and sustainable growth. Management is committed to achieving a compound annual growth rate in this business line of no less than 30%.

In our functional health business, we intend a rapid expansion focused on the development and introduction of innovative new products. Over the next two to three years, we will continue to place an intensive focus on human micro-biome health, and actively develop a series of functional food and personal care products featuring strong and fasting-acting effects on the respiratory and gastrointestinal areas of the human micro-biome. These products will be designed to take advantage of precise adjustment and regulation of the human micro-biome. The quality raw materials produced by our own natural ingredients business will provide us a significant cost advantage in these efforts.

Our Strengths

Innovation in Manufacturing Methods and Product Development

The advantages of this designation to Xi’an App-Chem include expedited governmental and regulatory approval processes to resume operations, and preferential bank loans with favorable terms.

Major supporting measures include:

(Items 4 and 5 are issued with official government documents; Items 1, 2, 3, and 6 are temporary support measures by local governments at all levels without documentation.)

A Stable Supply Chain for Raw Materials for the Fragrance, Food and Beverage Industries

Advantages in Cost Control

Professional and Efficient Sales Team and Branding

Our Challenges

We May Face Competition from Other Companies Currently In Other Categories of the Natural Ingredients and Health Solutions Industry.

Larger, more Developed Food and Ingredient Companies May Seek to Compete in Our Industry in the Near Future.

We May Face Additional Competition from New Entrants to the Health Industry

Our Current Sales and Distribution Network May Be Insufficient to Support Our Planned Growth.

We may face new regulations in the PRC in the future

Our Strategy for Meeting Potential Challenges

We also face other challenges, risks and uncertainties that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. You should consider the risks discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report before investing in our Shares.

REGULATIONS

This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in China and the European Union or our shareholders’ rights to receive dividends and other distributions from us.

Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment in China

Foreign investment law

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress, or the NPC, promulgated the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, or the Foreign Investment Law, which became effective on January 1, 2020, and replaced the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law, and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law. The organization form, organization, and activities of foreign-invested enterprises shall be governed, among others, by the PRC Company Law and the PRC Partnership Enterprise Law. Foreign-invested enterprises established in accordance with the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law, and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law before the implementation of the Foreign Investment Law may retain the original business organization and so on within five years after the implementation of the Foreign Investment Law. The Foreign Investment Law provides that that foreign investment refers to investment activities directly or indirectly conducted within China by foreign natural persons, enterprises or other entities (the “foreign investors”), which include the following forms: (a) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within PRC; (b) a foreign investor acquires stock shares, equity shares, property portions, or other like rights and interests of an enterprise within PRC; (c) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, invests in a new project within the PRC; and (d) other forms of investments under laws, administrative regulations, or provisions prescribed by the State Council of the PRC.

On December 26, 2019, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, or the FIE Implementing Regulations, which became effective on January 1, 2020. The FIE Implementing Regulations strictly implements the legislative principles and purpose of the Foreign Investment Law, it emphasizes on promoting and protecting the foreign investment and refines the specific measures. On the same day, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Interpretation on the Application of the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, which also came into effect on January 1, 2020 and provides for interpretations on the application of laws in cases of investment contracts disputes between equal parties. This interpretation shall apply to any contractual dispute arising from the acquisition of the relevant rights and interests by a foreign investor by way of gift, division of property, the merger of enterprises, division of enterprises, etc.

According to the FIE Implementing Regulations, the registration of foreign-invested enterprises shall be handled by the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR or its authorized local counterparts. Where a foreign investor invests in an industry or field subject to licensing in accordance with laws, the relevant competent government department responsible for granting such license shall review the license application of the foreign investor in accordance with the same conditions and procedures applicable to PRC domestic investors unless it is stipulated otherwise by the laws and administrative regulations, and the competent government department shall not impose discriminatory requirements on the foreign investor in terms of licensing conditions, application materials, reviewing steps and deadlines, etc. However, the relevant competent government departments shall not grant the license or permit enterprise registration if the foreign investor intends to invest in the industries or fields as specified in the Special Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2021 Version), or the Negative List 2021, without satisfying the relevant requirements. If a foreign investor invests in a prohibited field or industry as specified in the Negative List 2021, the relevant competent government department shall order the foreign investor to stop the investment activities, dispose of the shares or assets or take other necessary measures within a specified time limit, and restore to the status prior to the occurrence of the aforesaid investment, and the illegal gains, if any, shall be confiscated. If the investment activities of a foreign investor violate the special administrative measures for access restrictions on foreign investments as stipulated in the negative list, the relevant competent government department shall order the investor to make corrections within the specified time limit and take necessary measures to meet the relevant requirements. If the foreign investor fails to make corrections within the specified time limit, the aforesaid provisions regarding the circumstance that a foreign investor invests in the prohibited field or industry shall apply.

According to the Foreign Investment Law and the FIE Implementing Regulations, Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui have registered with the High-tech Branch of Xi’an Administration Industrial and Commercial Bureau. As the industries engaged by Xi’an CMIT and Xi’an Youpincui are not listed in the Negative List 2021, they do not need to obtain any license from other relevant competent government departments.

Regulations Relating to Value-Added Telecommunications Services

Foreign investment in value-added telecommunications

Foreign direct investment in telecommunications companies in China is regulated by the Administrative Provisions on Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Regulation, which was issued by the State Council on December 11, 2001, most recently amended on February 6, 2016. The FITE Regulation stipulates that a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise in the PRC, or the FITE, must be established as a sino-foreign equity joint venture for operations in the PRC. Under the FITE Regulation and in accordance with WTO-related agreements, the foreign party investing in a FITE engaging in value-added telecommunications services may hold up to 50% of the ultimate equity interests of the FITE. In addition, the major foreign party as the shareholder of the FITE must satisfy a number of stringent performance and operational experience requirements, including demonstrating a good track record and experience in operating a value-added telecommunications business. The FITE that meets these requirements must obtain approvals from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, and MOFCOM or their authorized local counterparts, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals. Furthermore, the foreign party investing in the e-commerce business, as a type of value-added telecommunications services, has been allowed to hold up to 100% of the equity interests of the FITE based on the Circular of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Removing the Restrictions on Shareholding Held by Foreign Investors in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing (Operating E-commerce) Business issued on June 19, 2015, and the current effective Catalogue of Telecommunications Services, or the Telecom Catalog.

On July 13, 2006, the Ministry of Information Industry of the PRC, or the MII (which is the predecessor of the MIIT) promulgated the Notice of the Ministry of Information Industry on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in Value-added Telecommunications Business, or the MII Notice, which reiterates certain requirements of the FITE Regulation and strengthens the administration by the MII. Under the MII Notice, if a foreign investor intends to invest in PRC value-added telecommunications business, the foreign investor must establish a FITE and apply for the relevant license for value-added telecommunications services, or the VATS License. In addition, a domestic company that holds a license for the provision of value-added telecommunications services is prohibited from leasing, transferring or selling the license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any assistance, including providing resources, sites or facilities, to foreign investors to conduct value-added telecommunications businesses illegally in China. Trademarks and domain names that are used in the provision of value-added telecommunications services must be owned by the license holder or its shareholders. The MII Notice also requires that each VATS License holder have appropriate facilities for its approved business operations and maintain such facilities in the business regions covered by its license. The VATS License holder shall perfect relevant measures for safeguarding the network and information, establish relevant administrative policies on information safety, set up the procedures for handling network emergencies and information safety and implement the liabilities system for information safety.

Telecommunications regulations

The Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC, or the Telecom Regulations, promulgated on September 25, 2000, and most recently amended on February 6, 2016, are the primary PRC laws governing telecommunications services, which set out the general framework for the provision of telecommunications services by domestic PRC companies. The Telecom Regulations require that telecommunications service providers shall obtain licenses prior to commencing operations. The Telecom Regulations distinguish basic telecommunications services and value-added telecommunications services. The Telecom Catalog, promulgated by MII on February 21, 2003, and amended by the MIIT on December 28, 2015, and June 6, 2019, and issued as an attachment to the Telecom Regulations, identifies internet information services and online data processing and transaction processing as value-added telecommunications services.

On July 3, 2017, the MIIT issued the revised Administrative Measures for the Licensing of Telecommunications Business, or the Telecom License Measures, which became effective on September 1, 2017, to supplement the Telecom Regulations. The Telecom License Measures require that an operator of value-added telecommunications services obtain a VATS License from the MIIT or its provincial-level counterparts. The term of a VATS License is five years and the license holder is subject to the annual inspection.

Internet information services

On September 25, 2000, the State Council promulgated the Measures for the Administration of Internet Information Services, or the ICP Measures, as amended on January 8, 2011. Under the ICP Measures, the internet information service is categorized into commercial internet information services and non-commercial internet services. The operators of non-commercial internet information services must file-record with relevant governmental authorities. However, the operators of commercial internet information services in China must obtain an ICP License, from the relevant governmental authorities. And the provision of particular information services, such as news, publishing, education, healthcare, medicine, and medical device must also comply with relevant laws and regulations and obtain approval from competent governmental authorities.

Internet information service providers are required to monitor their websites. They may not post or disseminate any content that falls within prohibited categories provided by laws or administrative regulations and must stop providing any such content on their websites. The PRC government may order ICP License holders that violate the content restrictions to correct those violations and revoke their ICP Licenses under serious conditions.

The MIIT released the Circular on Regulating the Use of Domain Names in Internet Information Services on November 27, 2017, effective from January 1, 2018, which provides that the domain names used by the internet information service provider in providing internet information services shall be registered and owned by such internet information service provider, and if the internet information service provider is a legal entity, the domain name registration shall be the legal entity (or any of its shareholders), or its principal or senior manager.

Regulations Relating to Land Use Right and Construction

Pursuant to the PRC Land Administration Law promulgated in June 1986 with the latest amendment in August 2019 (effective as of January 2020) and the PRC Civil Code, any entity that needs land for construction must obtain land use right and must register with local counterparts of Ministry of Natural Resources. Land use right is established at the time of registration.

According to the Measures for the Administration of Grant and Transfer of Right to Use Urban State-owned Land promulgated by the Ministry of Construction in December 1992 with the latest amendment in 2011, and the PRC Law on Urban and Rural Planning promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in October 2007 and became effective in January 2008 with the latest amendment in April 2019, the Measures for Administration of Construction Permits of Construction Projects promulgated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the PRC (or the MOHURD) in October 1999 with the latest amendment in March 2021, and the Administrative Measures on the Filings of Inspection Upon Completion of Construction of Buildings and Municipal Infrastructure promulgated by the MOHURD in October 2009, after obtaining land use right, the owner of land use right must obtain construction land planning permit, construction works planning permit from the relevant municipal planning authority, and a construction permit from relevant construction authority in order to commence construction. After a building is completed, an examination of completion by the relevant governmental authorities and experts must be organized.

Regulations on Production and Sale of Food Products

Before 2018, the China Food and Drug Administration, or the CFDA, had the regulatory authority to oversee, administer, and enforce all laws, regulations, and rules concerning the food industry business operations in China. After the institutional reforms, the CFDA has been abolished, and relevant regulatory authority has been taken over by the SAMR under the State Council.

The food industry is subject to extensive regulations in China. The PRC laws and regulations governing the food industry primarily consist of the PRC Food Safety Law (2009), as last amended in 2021; the Implementation Regulation for the Food Safety Law of PRC (2009), as amended in 2019, or the Food Safety Regulation; the Administrative Measures for Food Production Licensing (2010), as last amended in 2020, or the Food Production Licensing Rule; and the Administrative Measures for Food Business Licensing (2015), as amended in 2017, or the Food Business Licensing Rule. Under the PRC Food Safety Law and the Food Safety Regulation, food product manufacturers and business operators shall obtain the required food production permits; food producers and business operators are subject to regular quality inspection and supervision by the local governmental agencies and their product permits may be revoked if they no longer meet the standards and requirements for food production and operation; food-producing enterprises shall establish and implement food safety management systems, such as ingredient inspection and acceptance, production process safety management, storage management, equipment management, and substandard product management systems; and packaging of pre-packed food shall bear a label which states manufacturing permit serial number; among other things. The State Council implements a licensing system for food product manufacture and distribution. According to the Food Production Licensing Rule, a food production license must be obtained prior to engaging in food production activities in the PRC. The Food Business Licensing Rule requires food business operators to obtain a food business license for each business entity engaging in food business operations. We have obtained the required Food Production Licenses and Food Business Licenses, as set forth in the table below:

In addition to PRC laws and regulations, we strictly follow applicable safety regulations in all markets to which we sell our products. Through our subsidiary, Xi’an App-Chem, we have obtained REACH certification for our ambroxide in the European Union, and Generally Recognized as Safe List (“GRAS”) certification from the FDA for our clary sage. We have obtained kosher and halal certifications for certain of our products as well.

“GRAS” is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized As Safe. Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the “Act”), any substance that is intentionally added to food is a food additive, that is subject to premarket review and approval by FDA, unless the substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the use of the substance is otherwise excepted from the definition of a food additive. General recognition of safety under for a substance under U.S. law may be achieved under either of two methods:

Under 21 CFR 182.20, clary sage has been generally recognized as safe for its intended use.

REACH stands for “Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals”. REACH is the EU’s regulation on preventive management of all chemicals entering its market. The regulation was issued on June 1, 2007, and implemented on June 1, 2008. According to the EU REACH regulations, companies need to submit a registration to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for chemical substances (substances, substances in mixtures or substances intentionally released in articles) whose annual output or import volume exceeds 1 ton in the EU in order to continue to manufacture, import or sell the chemical within the EU. Xi’an App-Chem, sells two non-food products – sclareol glycol and ambroxide – in the EU. Both of these products have EU REACH certification, which satisfies the EU safety regulations for export and allows them to be sold in compliance with the EU market rules.

We rely upon published and unpublished safety information including clinical studies on ingredients used in our products. These studies include the following:

Regulation on Product Liability

The PRC laws and regulations governing the product liability primarily consist of the PRC Product Quality Law (1993), as lately amended in 2018; Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Consumers (1993), as lately amended in 2013, or the Consumers Protection Law; and the PRC Civil Code.

Under the PRC Product Quality Law, producers and vendors of defective products may incur liability for losses and injuries caused by such products. There are three circumstances under which producers or vendors can have immunity from the defective product liability: 1) the defective products are never put into the market; 2) the products defect which caused the damages did not exist when the products were put into the market; 3) the exam techniques and skills were not able to find out the defects when the products were put into the market. So far, our product quality is in conformity with the national requirements and we have passed the regulatory agency’s examination and also successfully obtained the certificates of GB/T 199001-2016/ISO 9001:2015, GB/T 22000-2006/ISO 22000:2005, ISO 9001:2008/GB/T 19001-2008 system.

Under the PRC Civil Code, manufacturers or retailers of defective products that cause property damage or physical injury to any person will be subject to civil liability. The Consumers Protection Law was enacted to protect the legitimate rights and interests of end-users and consumers and to strengthen the supervision and control of the quality of products.

Under the PRC Civil Code, a customer who suffers injury from a defective product can claim damages from either the manufacturer or vendor of the defective product. And, where personal injury is caused by tort, the tortfeasor shall compensate the victim for the reasonable costs and expenses for treatment and rehabilitation, as well as death compensation and funeral costs and expenses if it causes the death of the victim. There is no cap on monetary damages the plaintiffs may seek under the PRC Civil Code.

Regulations Relating to Environmental Protection

Pursuant to the PRC Law on Environment Impact Assessment promulgated in 2002, most recently amended in 2018, and the Administrative Regulations on the Environmental Protection of Construction Projects promulgated in 1998, most recently amended in 2017, each construction project is required to undergo an environmental impact assessment, and an environmental impact assessment report, an assessment form, or a registration form shall be filed with or approved by the relevant governmental authorities before the commencement of construction. In the event that there is a material change in respect of the construction site, scale, nature, the production techniques employed, or the measures adopted for preventing pollution and preventing ecological damage of a given project, a new environmental impact assessment document shall be filed with or approved by the relevant governmental authorities. Moreover, in accordance with the Interim Measure on the Environmental Protection Completion Acceptance of Construction Projects promulgated in 2017, after the completion of a construction project, the construction entity is required to conduct acceptance check of the constructed supporting environmental protection facilities and deliver an acceptance report. Failure to comply with the above-mentioned regulations may subject an enterprise to fines, suspension of the construction, and other administrative liabilities and even criminal liabilities under severe circumstances.