The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA), a global association of the food supplement sector, has adopted guiding principles on sustainability for the global food supplement sector. Developed to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the eight principles serve as guideposts for supply chains in the supplements industry across the globe.
 
“First of all, it is the right thing to do,” Simon Pettman, IADSA executive director, said. “In addition, taking a lead on sustainability is important since many of the discussions in the industry will have with stakeholders in the future will be framed within the sustainability context and will focus on how the sector is contributing to the achievement of the UN’s 17 SDGs.”
 
Rather than serving as a substitute for legislation, the guidelines provide action points to help the global dietary supplement supply chain accelerate and collaborate on sustainability. They complement and build on IADSA’s existing code of ethical principles for the supplement sector.
 
“Change will only come about with the involvement of a majority in the industry, and through the commitment of businesses large and small,” Pettman said. “To help drive this forward, IADSA believes it’s important that we show leadership and establish a culture of sustainability in the supplement sector that goes beyond our long-term commitment to creating a healthier society. Our new Guiding Principles will be at the front and center of this work.”
 
The guiding principles are:
 
- Maintain and continuously improve awareness and understanding of sustainability principles and environmental stewardship;
 
- Incorporate global, regional, indigenous, and local societal values related to environmental impact along with traditional and cultural values;
 
- Integrate environmental stewardship and sustainability planning into the life-cycle planning and management of products and activities at the earliest possible stage;
 
- Carry out activities towards sustainability objectives in a transparent way and assess them periodically;
 
- Only use claims relating to sustainability in marketing and advertising that relate to a substantiated environmental, social, and/or economic impact;
 
- Only use claims relating to sustainability in marketing and advertising that accurately convey the sustainable attributes of products and help consumers to make informed choices;
 
- Ensure that all actions taken in relation to sustainability safeguard fair competition between actors;
 
- Ensure that quality and safety are not compromised in actions taken with respect to sustainability.