1. Membership
  2. CRN Committees

Make the most of your CRN membership


CRN Committees provide a platform for representatives within CRN member companies to discuss issues most relevant to their companies and to the supplement industry as a whole. Participation in a committee represents the best way for members to be active within CRN and to receive the most value from their membership. The following are standing committees which communicate on a regular basis. Learn more about the different committees, working group and task forces.

CRN Members: Join a committee via our self-service portal.

More on CRN's member groups

CRN members can join most of the CRN Committees, Working Groups, and Task Forces via our self-service portal. (Please contact a CRN staff member with questions or if you do not see the group you want to join available on the portal). Key dates also available on our events calendar (you must be logged in to see the member meeting dates).

CRN Members logged in, click through to your committee, working group, and task force pages via the links below.

Want to learn more about the committees? See descriptions here.  Learn more about our working groups and task forces here.

 

Standing Committees:

Standing committees meet regularly on ongoing industry matters under each of the subject matter areas:

Working Groups and Task Forces, listed alphabetically:

Working groups and task forces are formed to address specific issues under each topic, often with the goal of a specific outcome or deliverable, for example, developing self-regulatory initiatives or responding to specific calls for comments.

Stay updated and help shape the industry

CRN members have a voice in shaping the dietary supplement industry through our committees and working groups, as we share ideas and develop solutions.

Learn more about how CRN helps companies keep their best employees by providing them greater influence in the industry they love.

Join CRN Committees, Working Groups, and Task Forces via the self-service portal for email updates or contact CRN VP Marketing & Member Experience Gretchen Powers (202-204-7682), or CRN staff liaison. 

In addition to committees, CRN forms working groups, task forces and subcommittees to respond to emerging issues or to proactively address an area of importance to CRN members and the dietary supplement industry.  As they typically tackle a specific issue, they remain separate from CRN’s long-standing committees.

CRN members, if you are interested in joining a particular committee or working group, please contact CRN VP Marketing & Member Experience, Gretchen Powers (202-204-7682), or the designated CRN staff liaison. CRN Members can visit My CRN to access committee pages with members-only updates.

CRN Committees

Communications, Marketing, and Media Outreach Committee

The Communications, Marketing, and Media Outreach Committee (CMMOC) is comprised of member company in-house representatives with an expertise in communications, public relations, media relations (traditional and new/social), marketing and market research and an interest in helping shape CRN’s communications and outreach programs. The CMOC addresses issues of importance to the industry, with a particular focus on the communications strategies and tactics. In addition, committee members are actively apprised of scientific studies before they are released, are involved in handling potential crisis communication situations as they unfold, and work cooperatively as colleagues to promote and defend the industry to a variety of audiences, including media and consumers. The committee typically meets virtually about six times a year and holds an annual in-person meeting.

Government Relations Committee

The Government Relations Committee (GRC) is composed of CRN members interested in legislative and government affairs.  The committee is a must for those who have or want a lobbying presence in Washington, D.C., and the states or wish to be involved with federal and state policy and politics. The GRC’s prime directive is to promote and protect DSHEA, but it is also a forum for the exchange of timely and useful legislative information, as well as discussions on coordinated efforts with external industry groups and like-minded coalitions. The group engages with elected officials, key staff, congressional committees and other stakeholders. In addition, CRN’s GRC advises the Dietary Supplement Caucus, the primary educational venue for legislators and staff on Capitol Hill, and plans CRN’s annual advocacy effort—Day on the Hill.  The Committee convenes regularly via conference calls.

International Trade and Market Development Committee

The International Trade and Market Development Committee (ITMDC) is comprised of member-company representatives with an interest in how international affairs shape the dietary supplement market. The group both initiates and directs CRN activities in the international regulatory arena, including the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its various committees, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the European Commission’s (EC) directives and major international initiatives relevant to dietary supplements and activities of the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA). The ITMDC focuses on tariffs, lists of approved ingredients, setting rational, science-based maximum limits for vitamins and minerals, and protection of the food-drug borderline issue. 

Legal Committee

The Legal Committee includes attorneys who are either in-house counsel for CRN’s voting member companies, or CRN associate members (i.e., outside counsel who are not CRN members may not participate in this committee). The Legal Committee discusses legal issues of interest to the dietary supplement and functional food industry, such as class-action lawsuits; FTC and FDA regulatory and enforcement actions; opportunities to join amicus briefs; significant legal cases impacting the industry; and, related topics raised by CRN members or CRN staff. The committee primarily meets by conference call on an as-needed basis. 

Membership Committee

By invitation only

The Membership Committee is a small group of dedicated representatives from CRN member companies who seek to strengthen the industry by strengthening CRN. Committee members seek out other responsible company colleagues to encourage membership in CRN. By building CRN’s membership, committee members have an opportunity to make a contribution to the association, thereby positively impacting the industry as a whole. The committee meets by conference call several times a year.

Regulatory Affairs Committee

The Regulatory Affairs Committee (RAC) includes CRN members with shared expertise in quality control, R&D, regulatory and scientific affairs. The committee provides input and oversight of CRN’s regulatory activities, such as developing comments for—and liaising with—regulatory agencies, including FDA, FTC, and USDA. The RAC meets virtually bi-monthly.

Senior Scientific Advisory Council

By appointment only

The Senior Scientific Advisory Council (SSAC) is composed of scientific officers in member companies who have volunteered to advise the CRN staff and the Board of Directors on major scientific issues. The main role for the SSAC is to assist with the development and implementation of CRN’s scientific strategy. The SSAC also advises CRN on issues such as the program for CRN’s annual scientific symposium, Science in Session, proposals for other scientific meetings, ongoing staff scientific projects, and effective responses to new challenges presented by scientific publications, scientific policies and programs by government agencies. Participation is recommended for senior science executives who direct the science agenda in their companies. Virtual meetings are held quarterly and the SSAC meets in person once per year in conjunction with Science in Session.

CRN Working Groups, Task Forces & Subcommittees

CRN forms working groups, task forces and subcommittees to respond to emerging issues or to proactively address an area of importance to CRN members and the dietary supplement industry.  As they typically tackle a specific issue, they remain separate from CRN’s long-standing committees, and may depend on separate participation and funding levels.  If you are interested in joining a particular working group, task force or subcommittee, please contact CRN VP Marketing & Member Experience Gretchen Powers (202-204-7682) or other CRN staff.

Nutrition Access Task Force

CRN's Nutrition Access Task Force aims increase access to nutrition and nutrition education for all. The task force will develop new programs to provide dietary supplements and food directly to at-risk populations as well as cultivate policy discussions on how to reduce nutrition and health disparities with better access to nutritional products and to education on nutrition and health. The task force is led by Micah Osborne, president of Stratum Nutrition. CRN VP Communications, Jeff Ventura is the task force staff liaison, along with SVP, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Andrea Wong, Ph.D., who is the task force staff liaison on nutritional science, working with a Scientific Advisory Board. Building on a three-pronged effort: Celebrating the good, educating for mission, and connecting/facilitating such as with the #Act4Access initiative.

CBD Working Group 

The CBD Working Group follows the evolving hemp-derived CBD marketplace and keeps members informed of the rapidly changing scientific, legal, and regulatory landscapes for hemp-derived ingredients. The working group provides guidance to CRN staff on engagement with FDA and other stakeholders as CRN works to clarify how companies can market compliant hemp-derived CBD foods and dietary ingredients. All CRN members are welcome to participate in the CBD Working Group.

Certificate of Free Sale Task Force

At the September 9, 2020, CRN Board of Directors Meeting, the Board directed CRN to form a task force of members interested in developing a CRN Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) program. The “Certificate of Free Sale Task Force” (hereafter CFS Task Force) will be designing a CRN CFS, identifying two (2) foreign countries for a beta test, refining the CRN CFS (if needed) on lessons learned, recommending a step-wise increase in countries to be engaged, and estimating resources for a full-fledged CRN CFS program.       

Consumer Survey Advisory Subcommittee                      

The Consumer Survey Advisory Subcommittee, a subgroup of the Communications, Marketing, and Media Outreach Committee (CMMOC), is comprised of market research, marketing, and communications executives at member companies interested in research about U.S. consumers’ usage of dietary supplements. The Advisory Committee, which is responsible for assembling the annual CRN survey questionnaire, ensures that the survey will uncover the most important information relevant to supplement consumers, including which supplements they take and how often, why they take supplements, where they purchase them, and more. The Advisory Committee meets via email and for a series of conference calls in June and July before the survey is fielded in August by a third-party market research firm. Space is limited on this subcommittee and interested members are encouraged to reach out to Jeff Ventura for details.

Dietary Guidelines Subcommittee

The DGA Subcommittee develops a strategy for CRN to participate in the process and development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the national nutrition policy published every 5 years by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  The Subcommittee also guides the development of CRN comments submitted throughout the Dietary Guidelines process. Interested members should contact their Senior Scientific Advisory Council representative.

Digital Marketing Campaigns Subcommittee

The Digital Marketing Campaigns Subcommittee, affectionately called DigiMc'S, is scheduled to convene five times annually with the objective of crafting and deploying digital advertising campaigns aimed at enhancing the visibility of our industry. These initiatives will also address and correct any misconceptions held by consumers or the media regarding our member companies. In addition to these targeted digital campaigns, the subcommittee will create social media toolkits for distribution among our members. These resources are designed to facilitate the generation of positive messaging within our respective markets, as well as on a national level.

Government Relations State Subcommittee

The Government Relations State Subcommittee (GRSS) is a subcommittee of the GRC. The subcommittee is focused on gathering and sharing information on key state issues with potential impact on the supplement industry, as well as any corresponding bills which may require industry participation/intervention.  Because most of the subcommittee’s work is centered on preparedness for state activities, there is also a strong focus on developing methods for sharing legislative news with the CRN membership.  The subcommittee meets by conference call and is vital for any CRN member company executive charged with tracking state legislation.

Gummy Form Task Force

The Gummy Form Task Force will examine the unique aspects of gummy delivery forms, including manufacturing, stability considerations, specifications, and overages. We will consider potential voluntary guidelines or best practices for these products.

Health Care Practitioner Forum

The Health Care Practitioner Forum (HCPF) is focused on meeting the needs of CRN members that serve the health care practitioner dietary supplement channel. The HCPF centers on the scientific, regulatory, legal, and advocacy topics of interest to the practitioner market.

Melatonin Task Force

In light of recent increased scrutiny of melatonin, CRN reconvened the Melatonin Task Force to explore self-regulatory initiatives for this ingredient. We will review and consider updating CRN’s Recommended Guidelines for Labeling and Formulation of Melatonin-containing Dietary Supplements for Sleep Support from 2015, and discuss whether additional initiatives should be developed.

NDI Working Group

The ad hoc NDI Working Group is a part of the larger Regulatory Affairs Committee that specifically focuses on developing CRN’s strategy and position with regard to FDA’s policy on New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) Notifications. The Working Group meets virtually on an as-needed basis to discuss CRN comments and recommendations to FDA on issues related to NDIs. All CRN members are welcome to participate in the Working Group.

Probiotics+ Working Group

The Probiotics+ Working Group recently expanded its scope to include other categories related to probiotics, including prebiotics and postbiotics. This group monitors/responds to relevant media coverage and keeps members engaged and updated on issues such as FDA’s position on labeling probiotic quantity, retailer standards, the Codex proposal on probiotics,  defining postbiotics, and the Lactobacillus taxonomy change. The Working Group has developed best practices for labeling, stability testing, and storage and handling recommendations, as well as a retailer education campaign. The Working Group meets on an as-needed basis by virtual meeting. All CRN members are welcome to participate in the Working Group. 

Prop 65 Working Group

The Prop 65 Working Group meets on an ad hoc basis by teleconference to discuss issues related to Proposition 65 (Prop 65). The group assists with comments and recommendations to the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) on proposals related to Prop 65, including proposed regulations and chemical listings. Membership is open to all CRN members with an interest in Prop 65.

Retailer Standards Working Group

The Retailer Standards Working Group provides a forum for manufacturers and suppliers to discuss regulatory, technical, and compliance issues surrounding retailer standards programs.  Retailer standards programs may require manufacturers to engage in product testing or manufacturing facility audits to demonstrate safety and quality of products. Members assist CRN staff by providing insights into these programs and advising on steps CRN can take to encourage retailer harmonization of these programs.  This working group meets on an ad hoc basis by teleconference and is open to voting members only, with one representative per voting member.

Retailer Relations Forum

By invitation only

CRN’s Retailer Relations Forum (RRF) is open (by invitation only) to the senior sales and customer officers from CRN member companies that market finished dietary supplements and functional food to mass retailers in the chain drug, grocery, box store, and club venues. Forum members may include both marketers of branded products and contract manufacturers who manufacture store brand products for these customers. The Retailer Relations Forum provides opportunities for their senior sales executives of member companies to stay up-to-date on regulatory and sector developments that will impact their business, to keep abreast of retailer priorities, upcoming retailer initiatives, and requirements and expectations retailers have for the supplement and functional food categories. It also encourages these executives to become CRN brand ambassadors to the retail trade by helping to promote CRN’s initiatives to retailers in the context of their own brand image and alignment with our activities.

Sports Nutrition Working Group

The Sports Nutrition Working Group is for CRN members which provide sports and fitness dietary supplements, functional foods, and ingredients as well as the associate members that support them. This group discusses topics related to scientific, regulatory, legislative, and other stakeholder issues surrounding the role of dietary supplements in sports nutrition.  

Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Task Force

The TiO2 Task Force will continue to monitor issues surrounding not only the global TiO2 market, but more critically, the CRN response to the citizen’s petition filed with the FDA to repeal the color additive petition listing TiO2 for food use. There are also a number of pressing US State Bills on TiO2. 

Toxicology Subcommittee                 

The Toxicology Subcommittee is part of the larger Senior Scientific Advisory Council that addresses scientific and regulatory issues related to the safety of dietary ingredients, dietary supplements, and functional foods.  The group explores topics such as safety considerations for NDIs and GRAS ingredients, assessing the safety of multi-ingredient formulations, drug-herb interactions, and other emerging toxicological issues.  The Subcommittee meets on an as-needed basis by teleconference and holds workshops on topics of interest to members. Interested members should contact their Senior Scientific Advisory Council representative.

USP/AOAC Subcommittee

The USP/AOAC Subcommittee is a part of the larger Regulatory Affairs Committee that specifically focuses on US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) General Chapters and ingredient/product monographs that appear in the USP, National Formulary (NF) and Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). The Subcommittee also monitors analytical methods development for dietary ingredients by AOAC International. Understanding the issues, from both the industry perspective, as well as how USP and AOAC processes work, allows CRN to more effectively communicate and seek industry resolutions to analytical methods and acceptance criteria for dietary ingredients as well as non-dietary (food) ingredients. Interested members should contact their Regulatory Affairs Committee representative.

Vitamin D Task Force

The Vitamin D Task Force leads the development of an educational website on Vitamin D & COVID-19 sponsored by member donations to the CRN Foundation. The group meets on an ad hoc basis by teleconference and is made up of members who are sponsoring this education initiative.  The group provides guidance on educational content, marketing and communications efforts related to the initiative. The Vitamin D Task Force is open to member companies which are sponsoring the initiative.