National Animal Supplement Council (NASC)
What Is the NASC?
The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) is a non-profit trade association that was founded in 2001 to promote the health and well-being of companion animals and horses that are given health supplements by their owners, and to protect and enhance the animal health supplement industry. The NASC and its member companies work cooperatively with state, federal, and international government officials to create a legislative and regulatory environment that provides the framework to improve the quality and consistency of these products sold to consumers for the benefit of their dogs, cats, horses, and other companion animals. SmartPak is proud to be a founding member of the NASC.
While no single person or company can change an entire industry, a collective of nearly 300 companies can come together with a shared vision for a system of transparency, collaboration, and the implementation of best practices. The result is successful self-regulation that bridges the gap between what the law requires and what consumers demand.
This approach serves the best interests of all stakeholders influenced by animal health supplements: manufacturers, marketers, distributors, retailers, regulators, veterinarians, consumers, and most importantly, the animals themselves.
How Does the NASC Work?
Before the NASC existed, there were no standards for what a company making animal supplements could claim on its labels, no standards for manufacturing practices, and no standards for tracking adverse events (side effects). Since its formation, the NASC has implemented national guidelines for labeling, manufacturing, and adverse event reporting so that customers will know what they are getting for their supplement dollar.
To earn permission to display the NASC Quality Seal on its products and marketing materials, an NASC member company must do the following:
- Pass a comprehensive third-party quality audit every two years.
- Maintain ongoing compliance with rigorous NASC quality standards.
- Participate in annual continuing education facilitated by NASC.
- Pass random independent testing of their products to ensure they are meeting label claims.
What Are Good Manufacturing Practice Standards?
NASC advocates for and enforces Good Manufacturing Practice standards (GMPs) in manufacturing, labeling, and marketing animal health supplements, a system designed to ensure products are consistently produced and controlled according to documented quality standards. In addition, NASC members establish fair and reasonable paths to fund and facilitate the collection and dissemination of statistically significant research, as well as actively participate in programs of continual vigilance to ensure the quality of ingredients in these products.
How Is SmartPak Involved?
SmartPak is an NASC-audited member and therefore our SmartPak® brand supplements, including SmartSupplements®, Leg Up®, and Smart & Simple®, meet the requirements above and are approved to carry the NASC Quality Seal.
The NASC Adverse Event Reporting System
In addition to helping found the NASC, SmartPak's technology team designed and built a sophisticated database used by all NASC members to track the safety of supplement ingredients. For the first time ever, the animal supplement industry is sharing data with each other and with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM). By collecting this data, we have solid proof of safety and visibility on any problems regarding animal supplement formulations and individual ingredients. Together, we are hoping to make sensible decisions based on scientific evidence rather than speculation.
"SmartPak genuinely sees themselves as advocates for what is best for their customers – the continued availability of high-quality products. SmartPak has given generously of their time and expertise leading the development of The NASC Adverse Event Reporting System (NAERS). This system and its implementation is unprecedented in the animal health industry and is more comprehensive than the requirements mandated by the US Congress for either Human Dietary Supplements or animal feed. NAERS has been key to our continued progress with the regulatory agencies or those recommending regulatory policy."
Visit the NASC website for more information.