ASA reviews membership applications against published category, eligibility, and responsibility criteria. Payment, sponsorship, event participation, a referral, or a program application does not create automatic admission.
Before you begin
Review:
- the membership categories and eligibility rules;
- the Code of Responsible Practice;
- the membership review and accountability process;
- the Privacy Policy.
The person submitting the application must be authorized to provide the information and attest on behalf of the organization.
Application requirements
Be prepared to provide:
Organization identity
- legal name and trade names;
- entity or institution type and jurisdiction;
- principal business and mailing addresses;
- website and business description;
- parent, subsidiary, or controlling relationships relevant to eligibility.
Supplement-sector role
- requested membership category;
- brand, manufacturing, ingredient, import, distribution, retail, laboratory, advisory, academic, or other roles;
- product, service, and market scope relevant to the application;
- regulated activities or facilities relevant to category review.
Representatives
- authorized primary contact;
- executive sponsor or signer;
- billing contact;
- optional functional contacts for policy, regulatory, science, quality, communications, or events after admission.
Disclosures
ASA may request information about material government actions, injunctions, debarment, criminal matters, recalls, warning letters, litigation, prior association status, or misuse of official or certification claims within a defined period. The form must state the exact scope. Provide context, status, and corrective action rather than assuming an open matter is a final finding.
Attestations and preferences
- accuracy and authorization;
- agreement to governing policies;
- privacy acknowledgment;
- directory and communication preferences;
- consent to reasonable verification;
- electronic signature.
Application steps
1. Membership inquiry {#membership-inquiry}
An inquiry helps ASA identify likely category fit and answer procedural questions. It is not an application or preapproval.
2. Secure application
Create an authorized account, complete required fields, and upload requested records through the application system. Do not send sensitive records through the general contact form.
3. Completeness review
Membership operations confirms identity, required fields, category fit, authorization, attestations, and documentation. If information is missing, ASA sends a specific request and response date.
4. Eligibility and integrity review
Designated reviewers assess the application using the published policy. They may verify public records or request clarification. Review focuses on relevant and supportable information.
5. Decision
The authorized body may approve, approve subject to a stated administrative condition, defer pending defined information, determine that another category is appropriate, or decline.
6. Onboarding
Approved applicants complete the current dues requirement, confirm representatives and directory settings, and receive access according to category.
Timing
ASA should publish an operating target only after measuring the real workflow. Review time depends on completeness, clarification, conflicts, decision schedules, and the complexity of the record. ASA acknowledges receipt and provides status through the secure account.
Dues
The approved dues schedule and billing point must appear in the application before the applicant commits. Dues do not buy admission or a particular ASA position. Refund, proration, renewal, and tax treatment follow the approved terms.
Reconsideration
A declined or deferred applicant may use the reconsideration route stated in the decision when it can identify material factual error, relevant new information, procedural failure, or a conflict affecting the decision.
Data and confidentiality
Application information is limited to authorized reviewers and service providers according to ASA policy and law. ASA cannot promise absolute confidentiality where disclosure is required or necessary for fair process. The application states retention, security, and rights before submission.
Begin the application
If you are still assessing fit, review application requirements.