ASA assigns membership according to an organization’s actual role in the supplement sector. Category affects rights, participation, dues, and directory treatment. ASA may request documentation to verify identity and category fit.
Voting member
Voting membership may be available to eligible commercial organizations directly responsible for dietary supplements or their principal ingredients, including:
- brand owners and marketers of finished dietary supplements;
- finished-product manufacturers and contract manufacturers;
- ingredient manufacturers, processors, importers, and distributors;
- another directly participating sector business expressly included by the governing documents.
Voting rights, representation, eligibility for Board service, and any revenue or business-type subcategories must match the governing documents.
Associate member
Associate membership may be available to organizations that materially support the supplement sector, including:
- analytical and testing laboratories;
- legal, regulatory, scientific, clinical, and quality service providers;
- packaging and equipment suppliers;
- logistics, warehousing, and technology providers;
- retailers, e-commerce, data, and market-service organizations;
- other service providers approved within the category definition.
Associate participation and voting rights are defined by the governing documents and benefit matrix.
International member
International membership may be available to eligible organizations principally established outside the United States. Applicants must identify their sector role and relevant markets and accept ASA’s Code and participation requirements. ASA membership does not establish compliance in the United States or another jurisdiction.
Affiliate member
Affiliate membership may be available to academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, professional societies, and other mission-aligned bodies. Affiliate status does not imply that the institution endorses ASA, its members, or products. Voting, commercial benefits, and leadership eligibility may be restricted.
Baseline eligibility for every category
An applicant must:
- be a legally identifiable entity or eligible institution;
- fit an approved category;
- provide complete and accurate application information;
- identify ownership or control information reasonably needed for review;
- appoint an authorized primary representative;
- agree to the Code of Responsible Practice and applicable policies;
- disclose material matters requested in the application;
- cooperate with reasonable verification;
- satisfy the dues requirement after admission or under the approved billing rule;
- not present an unresolved issue that the authorized decision body determines is inconsistent with membership.
Information considered during review
ASA may consider legal identity, business role, candor, relevant regulatory or legal history, corrective action, recurrence, misuse of association or government claims, willingness to meet membership responsibilities, and other factors stated in policy.
An allegation or open inquiry is not automatically treated as a final finding. ASA considers source, procedural status, relevance, severity, recency, response, and outcome.
Dues and classification
Dues should follow a Board-approved schedule based on objective category and, where used, a defined measure such as revenue band or entity type. Higher dues do not purchase greater control over policy, science, membership, or awards.
The application must display the current schedule or explain when ASA will provide it. ASA should not publish unapproved figures or collect payment before the approved point in the process.
Category questions
If an organization performs more than one role, describe the principal supplement-sector activity, related entities, and the reason for the requested category. ASA may recommend a different category based on the record.
Determine category fit
Before applying, read membership review procedures.