ASA brings scientific review and quality-system thinking into policy, education, member practice, and defined programs. Its documents state their scope, evidence basis, approval status, and whether they establish a requirement, recommend a practice, state a position, or provide education.
Scientific affairs
ASA’s scientific work begins with a defined question and a method proportionate to the conclusion. Reviews consider identity, dose, duration, population, study design, outcomes, consistency, directness, limitations, and applicability to the actual decision.
Quality and manufacturing
Quality work addresses systems used to establish identity, specifications, supplier controls, production and holding controls, laboratory practice, release, traceability, complaints, and corrective action. Resources identify which party and operation they address.
Code of Responsible Practice
The Code establishes baseline responsibilities for ASA members. It addresses lawful conduct, quality responsibilities, claims, accurate records, conflicts, scientific integrity, participation, ASA identity, and cooperation with legitimate review.
Voluntary guidelines and best practices
ASA may publish practical recommendations developed through subject-matter and affected-party review. A voluntary guideline does not become a legal requirement or membership obligation merely because ASA published it.
Standards development
ASA uses an enhanced procedure before calling a document an ASA standard. The process defines need, scope, participation, conflicts, evidence, review, comment disposition, approval, publication, maintenance, and appeal.
Safety and market integrity
Safety information, adverse events, adulteration, misleading claims, and misuse of ASA status require different routes and authorities. ASA provides a clear concern channel while directing emergencies and legally required reports to the appropriate public authorities.
Document types and authority
| Document type | What it means | Typical authority |
|---|---|---|
| Code or requirement | Binding within the stated ASA membership or program scope | Board or expressly delegated authority |
| ASA standard | Normative criteria developed under the enhanced procedure | Board unless validly delegated |
| Voluntary guideline | Recommended responsible practice | Authorized committee and approver |
| Technical specification | Defined method, format, terminology, or performance criteria | Authority named in the document |
| Position statement | ASA’s adopted view on a defined issue | Policy approval route |
| Educational resource | Information that explains or supports decisions | Designated content authority |
Readers should use the document’s own status and effective date. A resource card or search label does not change its authority.
Integrity controls
Scientific and technical work uses:
- qualified authors and reviewers;
- relevant conflict and funding disclosure;
- source and version control;
- defined evidence and review methods;
- material limitation statements;
- documented approval;
- scheduled maintenance;
- correction, supersession, and withdrawal procedures.
Use ASA technical resources
Browse science and quality resources
To understand how normative documents are developed, review the standards process.