Product and Ingredient Certification

NSF certifies dietary supplements to NSF/ANSI 173, the only American National Standard for testing and certifying dietary supplements. Our expert team of chemists, microbiologists and toxicologists works in testing laboratories in the U.S., Europe and China.

NSF evaluates the composition of dietary supplements and ingredients. The assessment includes testing for vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids, sports supplements, concentrates, metabolites, constituents and extracts to verify the supplement facts panel reflects the product’s contents or that the certificate of analysis for the ingredient accurately depicts its identity and purity specifications.

To ensure that a safer product reaches consumers, we assess products and ingredients for the presence of contaminants that impact health, including the toxic elements lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and chromium (VI). We test for the presence of aerobic microorganisms, yeast and molds, and Enterobacteriaceae, and specifically for the potential pathogens Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. We analyze for mycotoxins, which are released by fungi and are hepatotoxic. We assess items that contain botanical materials for the presence of pesticides.

Unique to our certification program, we conduct annual audits and periodically retest certified products to ensure continued compliance with the most rigorous quality standard in the world for dietary supplements.

NSF certifies functional foods and beverages worldwide, and food and nutritional supplements outside the U.S., to NSF 229. Functional foods and beverages sold in the U.S. display a nutritional facts panel and include items such as protein bars, hydration beverages and energy drinks. Outside the U.S., these products, which include food and nutritional supplements, are generally regulated as foods and are labeled as required in their regulatory jurisdictions. We assess that the facts panel accurately describes the fortified nutrient content, such as a vitamin, mineral or a botanical extract.

Our program uses the same rigorous criteria as NSF/ANSI 173 to ensure that a safer product reaches the consumer. We evaluate products and ingredients for the presence of contaminants that impact health, including the toxic elements lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and chromium (VI). We screen for the presence of aerobic microorganisms, yeast and molds, and Enterobacteriaceae, and specifically for the potential pathogens Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. We analyze for mycotoxins, which are released by fungi and are hepatotoxic. We test items that contain botanical materials for the presence of pesticides.

Personal care products can be certified to the NSF Certification Guidelines 527 – Personal Care Products through testing and verification. The personal care product guidelines are based on global testing protocols and methods for ISO, European Commission, Health Canada and US FDA criteria.

NSF evaluates each formulation for ingredient acceptability, conducts a formula and label claim verification, and performs testing for purity, identity, contaminates and adulterants. The program ensures personal care products intended for topical use ingredients are accurately identified and represented on the label.

NSF 527 personal care product certification goal is to bring transparency and consumers' confidence in their purchase of certified cosmetics and personal care products.

Our Certified for Sport® program certifies dietary supplements, functional foods, cosmetics and personal care products to be free from substances banned by major sporting organizations and helps athletes, dietitians, coaches and consumers make more informed decisions when choosing sports supplements to reduce their risk of doping sanctions. We screen for over 295+ substances, across all classes, including steroids, SARMs, stimulants, beta-agonists, diuretics, growth hormone releasing agents and hormone metabolic modulators. Products Certified for Sport® must also be certified to either NSF/ANSI 173 , NSF 229 or NSF 527 to ensure their contents match their claims.

Certified for Sport® is the only independent, third-party certification program recognized by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Certified for Sport® is also recommended by the NFL, NBA, PGA, LPGA, UFC, CCES, CPSDA, iNADO, Ironman, NASCAR, Taylor Hooton Foundation and other organizations that seek to mitigate the risks of contaminated dietary supplements, functional foods, cosmetics and personal care products.

Verify the identity and quantity of dietary ingredients declared on your product label. Our experts evaluate product labels or material specifications, select and perform tests, and assure your ingredients meet the necessary safety and quality requirements.

Leverage your NSF products to attract new customers and nurture existing business relationships by offering the NSF Contents Certified mark for product labels.

In addition to prequalifying your company for new business opportunities, certification ensures that all ingredients are processed to FDA’s 21 CFR Part 111 and all products are produced in a GMP-compliant facility. You'll lower your costs by decreasing the number of customer audits conducted at your facility, making your manufacturing team safer and more efficient.