The changes will enable the association to more fully recognize the evolving nature of the dietary supplement industry and allow more kinds of companies to experience the benefits of membership, said the association.
“CRN has been fortunate to see a steady stream of membership growth in recent years, and with these changes to our membership categories and dues structure, we are poised to welcome even more companies who manufacture or market dietary supplements or functional foods,” said Steve Mister, CRN President & CEO.
“In addition, our new dues structure recognizes that many industry players have multiple roles, and more fairly reallocates the obligations of membership. Together these revisions will strengthen CRN and the future of our industry.”
Categories
The association now recognizes four categories of Voting Members: Branded finished product manufacturers, contract manufacturers, ingredient manufacturers, and ingredient representatives/distributors. Each category has different dues rates to reflect their relative business models and profit margins, said CRN.
The revised by-laws also address the functional food category. Unlike dietary supplements, there is no regulatory definition for functional foods, and the new by-laws create a definition as “any product that is properly labeled as a ‘food’ (i.e., uses a Nutrition Facts label) under the U.S. Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, that is formulated specifically to increase the intake of certain nutrients or other compounds and for which the manufacturer makes structure/function or health claims in its labeling.”
These changes become effective in 2014, but companies joining before the end of the year may take advantage of the new rates, should they choose to do so.