There is no unified definition for these terms. To date, the only internationally recognized, minimal quality standards are based on the EU CRN monograph. "Pharmaceutical grade" is a marketing term often used to imply a higher standard of quality. While there are pharmaceutical grades established for some chemicals, there is no such grade for marine oils. However, our fish oils are produced in Norway and the manufacturing plant is licensed for pharmaceuticals by the Norwegian Medicines Agency, Norway's equivalent to the Food and Drug Administration. (There are only 3 pharmaceutical licensed omega-3 manufacturing facilities in the world.) In comparison to common practices, Metagenics offers marine oil formulas that meet a higher standard of quality.