Program rules
These rules govern the Premium Supplement Awards administered by the American Supplement Association. They apply to applications accepted under criteria version PSA-1.0 and to awards issued under that version, subject to the transition provisions below.
1. Scope and authority
Applications concern currently marketed oral dietary supplements intended for adults aged 18 and over. The responsible company or its authorized representative must identify the product and market and have the right to provide the submitted information.
Concepts, unmarketed formulas, standalone business-to-business ingredients, ordinary foods, medicines, medical devices, injectables, animal products, and products specifically intended for children, pregnancy, or breastfeeding are outside the program scope. Applications seeking recognition of disease-treatment claims are not accepted.
2. Applicant declarations
By submitting, the authorized applicant confirms that the information is accurate to the best of its knowledge, material requested information has not been withheld, and it has permission to share the documents and images. The applicant must identify material conflicts, relevant product changes, and significant information affecting the review.
The applicant accepts publication of the approved award record if recognition is granted and the responsibilities governing award use and subsequent changes. Confidential evidence remains separate from that public record.
3. Fees and purchases
Application and review are free. Award recipients receive a digital certificate, public record, verification service, and permitted digital artwork without payment. Appeals, information confirmation, change reporting, and renewal application and review are also free.
Physical trophies, printed certificates, and manufactured labels are optional purchases under separate purchase terms. No membership, sponsorship, donation, order, or other paid service is a condition of review or recognition.
4. Evidence and review scope
Applicants submit the formulation, label, scientific support, safety information, quality records, and other materials required for the stated scope. ASA does not collect product samples or perform laboratory testing through the program.
Existing analytical reports may be reviewed as evidence. This does not establish that ASA tested the product, inspected a facility, or verified every manufacturing batch. An award does not constitute regulatory approval, certification, or a guarantee of safety, effectiveness, purity, or legal compliance.
5. Assessment and decision
All six required conditions must be met. The score must reach at least 85 out of 100, with minimums of 20/25 for scientific evidence, 14/20 for formulation, 16/20 for safety information, 16/20 for quality documentation, and 11/15 for labeling and transparency.
At least two qualified reviewers provide separate assessments, followed by a decision check by another qualified person. Material disagreements receive further review. The decision cannot depend on sales or funding considerations, and no award quota applies.
6. Completeness and information requests
The initial completeness check has a target of 10 business days. Acceptance confirms that the application is ready for scientific and technical assessment.
Clarification requests normally allow 30 calendar days for response. One extension of up to 30 days may be requested before the deadline. If necessary information remains unavailable, the application may be closed as incomplete with notice. A substantial formulation change requires a new application rather than repeated revision within the same review.
7. Outcomes and publication
An application may be awarded, not awarded, found outside scope, closed for missing information, or withdrawn. Only approved awards are published. The applicant receives the outcome and relevant reasons.
ASA aims to issue the free certificate and publish the award record within five business days of approval. No subsequent purchase or paid activation is required. Records identify the product, responsible company, version, criteria, dates, scope, material limitations, and current status. ASA retains responsibility for accurate record wording and required disclosures.
8. Term and permitted use
The standard award term is 24 months from the decision date. ASA requests information confirmation at 12 months. Digital artwork is licensed without a fee for the specified product and active term under the award-use rules. It may not be transferred to other products or used to imply broader approval.
9. Changes and status
Report material planned changes before using the award on the changed product. Significant risk or events affecting the award basis must be reported within two business days of becoming known; routine administrative changes within 30 calendar days.
ASA may correct records, request information, suspend use, accept withdrawal, or revoke recognition under the program procedure. Except where urgent action is necessary, affected recipients receive notice and an opportunity to respond. Historical records remain distinguishable from current active recognition.
10. Appeals
An appeal may be submitted without charge within 30 calendar days of receiving a decision, based on material factual error, overlooked timely evidence, inconsistent criteria application, conflict, or procedural failure. A person who did not make the original decision considers the appeal.
The target is acknowledgment within five business days and a written outcome within 45 calendar days after a complete appeal is accepted. An appeal does not automatically restore award use or extend a term.
11. Information and confidentiality
The privacy notice explains the handling, access, retention, and publication of information. Applicants retain rights in their submitted materials and authorize the use needed to administer review and publish the approved record. This does not authorize unrelated use of a confidential formulation in advertising or public examples.
12. Revisions and rights
The acceptance notice identifies the applicable rules and criteria. Material changes apply prospectively with a published effective date. ASA does not silently change the requirements for an accepted application. Necessary corrections are communicated with their reasons and appropriate procedural safeguards.
These program rules do not remove rights that cannot be excluded under applicable law. Physical-item transactions are governed by their separately disclosed terms.