IADSA creates the Guiding Principles on Sustainability for the global supplement sector
The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”, agreed in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and intended to be achieved by 2030
Simon Pettman, IADSA Executive Director, said there were many reasons why it was imperative for supplement associations and companies to engage on sustainability. “First of all, it is the right thing to do,” he explained. “In addition, taking a lead on sustainability is important since many of the discussions 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.”
IADSA's eight 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.
The new guiding principles are not designed to replace any national or regional legislation. Instead, they provide an over-arching set of action points to help every part of the global food supplement supply chain to accelerate and collaborate on sustainability. They complement and build on IADSA’s existing Code of Ethical Principles for the supplement sector, which highlights the adoption of sustainable practices as one of a number of steps the industry should strive to take.
Simon Pettman added: “Change will only come about with the involvement of a majority in the industry, and through the commitment of businesses large and small. 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 centre of this work.”
