The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) has set out new guiding principles for the supplements sector.
The Guiding Principles on Sustainability (GPS) were developed to ‘complement and build upon’ the IADSA Code of Ethical Principles, and to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – a collection of 17 interlinked global goals ‘designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all’.
The principles of the GPS will ‘position IADSA at the forefront of the international supplement sector’s efforts to create a more sustainable present and future’.
Simon Pettman, IADSA executive director, calls it ‘imperative’ that supplements companies and associations engage with issues of sustainability. “First of all, it is the right thing to do. 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.”
The IADSA confirms that the new guiding principles are not intended to replace any existing 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’.
Pettman again: “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.”
Visit iadsa.org for more information.
