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Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients (SIDI) archives

The SIDITM (Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients) Protocol was first published in 2006, with revisions in 2008, last updated in 2018 to address FSMA requirements—among other enhancements. The content formerly housed at "SIDIWorkGroup.com" is archived below. Contact Haiuyen Nguyen with questions.

SIDI Protocol 3.0

The primary goal of the voluntary Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients (SIDI™) Protocol is to streamline the communication of information on dietary ingredients from ingredient suppliers to finished product manufacturers. The SIDITM Protocol details the type and scope of information, in a standardized format, that an ingredient supplier may need to provide to a manufacturer, as opposed to non-standardized, customer-specific questionnaires. The information provided in a SIDI document may be used to help fulfill documentation aspects of ingredient supplier qualification.

DOCUMENTS:

BACKGROUND

Supplier qualification is an element in the U.S. current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for dietary supplements (21 CFR Part 111). Proper supplier qualification across the dietary supplement industry is critical for maintaining integrity of the supply chain and reducing or preventing economically motivated adulteration. To assist with supplier qualification activities, the SIDI Work Group developed a series of voluntary guidelines to serve as resources for the dietary supplement industry.  

Additional Guidelines

Access these archived guidelines: 

DISCLAIMER: These voluntary Guidelines are for information purposes only and intended to assist users with compliance with the current Good Manufacturing Practice for Dietary Supplements, 21 C.F.R. § 111. The Guidelines should not be utilized as a substitute for compliance with all applicable federal, state, or municipal laws, codes, rules and regulations (“applicable laws and regulations”). Users may use an alternative approach to satisfy the requirements of the applicable laws and regulations. The Authors make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the Guidelines for any purpose.

By use of these resources, the user agrees not to hold the authors liable or responsible for the user’s compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Use of the Guideline does not constitute any promise, representation or warranty that a product will in fact comply with applicable laws and regulations, nor any assurance, representation or guarantee regarding or relating in any manner to the safety of any product. In no event will Authors be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of the Guidelines. Whenever appropriate, users should seek the advice of professionals or other knowledgeable persons to ascertain whether a product will in fact comply with applicable laws and regulations.

FAQ

1. What is vendor/supplier qualification?
Vendor or supplier qualification is the process of determining the acceptability of a potential vendor or supplier, ingredient or component for use in the manufacture of a dietary supplement. Qualification may be based on the prospective supplier demonstrating: experience in providing material that meet company specifications and standards; financial and operating stability; and the adequacy of its facilities, organization, and location. In the context of the dietary supplement cGMP (21 CFR Part 111.75), proper vendor or supplier qualification is required for a manufacturer that opts to rely on its supplier’s Certificate of Analysis for all specifications (except identity) in lieu of conducting its own tests and examination of the ingredient(s) or component(s)  supplied.

2. What is the purpose of the guidelines?
The guidelines were developed as voluntary tools to assist dietary supplement manufacturers and ingredient or component suppliers with the supplier qualification process. Each of the guidelines focuses on different aspects of qualifying a supplier, and together, they are intended to help companies develop their own supplier qualification programs for compliance with the dietary supplement cGMP regulation.

3. Who developed the guidelines?
The guidelines were developed and are maintained by the SIDI Work Group, a collaboration of three dietary supplement trade associations and expert volunteer member company representatives. The trade associations include: the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA).

4. Is use of the guidelines required?
The guidelines are completely voluntary and are not required by law or regulation. 

5. Why should I use the guidelines?
The guidelines represent tools available for the dietary supplement industry to assist with GMP compliance, now required for dietary supplement manufacturers of all sizes. The guidelines promote a risk-based approach to supplier qualification which may allow for optimal allocation of time and resources to the supplier qualification process.

6. Is there a cost to use the guidelines?
The guidelines are freely available for download on this page. Archived in May 2021.

7. How are the guidelines organized?
The Supplier Qualification Guideline is the umbrella document that outlines the main aspects of supplier qualification based on the principles of risk management. Within this guideline, complex areas in need of additional guidance (such as documentation and Certificates of Analysis) are highlighted and detailed in separate guideline documents (e.g. SIDI protocol, CoA Guideline).  Additional guidelines may be developed depending on need.

8. For whom are the guidelines intended?
The guidelines may be useful for all members of the supply chain, from ingredient or component suppliers, to distributors and finished product manufacturers. They may be used to help develop in-house supplier qualification programs or standard operating procedures. The degree to which the guidelines are relied on may depend on the type of company and/or individual users. It is recommended that all company departments, including quality control/assurance, regulatory affairs, legal, purchasing/procurement, manufacturing/operations and marketing at least review and become familiar with the guidelines. 

9. What information is contained in the SIDI Protocol?
The SIDI Protocol stands for Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients (SIDITM) protocol and details the type and scope of information, in a standardized format, that an ingredient supplier typically needs to provide to a manufacturer, as opposed to non-standardized, customer-specific questionnaires. The information provided in a SIDI document may be used to help fulfill documentation aspects of ingredient supplier qualification.

10. What information is contained in the Certificate of Analysis Guideline (CoA Guideline)?
This Guideline provides recommendations to standardize the content and format of CoAs for dietary supplement components, and it clearly defines the roles and responsibilities for component suppliers, distributors, dietary supplement manufacturers and other users who need to meet the dietary supplement cGMP regulation.

11. What information is contained in the Supplier Qualification Guideline?
This Guideline provides the overarching framework of supplier qualification that is based on risk management principles and provides recommendations for the different components of the process, including audit assessment, documentation, CoA confirmation and re-qualification.

12. Do the guidelines have international application?
The guidelines are currently applicable to U.S. regulations. They may be revised to support international companies in the future.

16. For which languages are the guidelines available?
The guidelines are currently available in English only.

17. Where can I get help with using the guidelines/additional questions answered?
Feel free to ask your questions on the guidelines by emailing Haiuyen Nguyen (hnguyen@crnusa.org). 

NOTE: The SIDI Work Group is closed. This page represented archived resources. 
 

CoA Guideline

The Certificate of Analysis for Dietary Supplement Components Voluntary Guideline (CoA Guideline) is designed to assist with ensuring Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) serve their intended role in the assessment of dietary component qualities or specifications. The voluntary guideline provides recommendations to standardize the content and format of CoAs for dietary supplement components, and it defines suggested roles and responsibilities for component suppliers, distributors, dietary supplement manufacturers and other users who need to meet the dietary supplement cGMP regulation.  

DOCUMENTS

Dietary Supplement Component Supplier Qualification

The purpose of the voluntary Dietary Supplement Component Supplier Qualification Guideline (Supplier Qualification Guideline) is to assist manufacturers of dietary supplements (or other users of dietary supplement components) with compliance with the dietary supplement cGMP requirements, specifically 21 CFR Part 111.75. Recognizing that resources allocated to the process of qualifying suppliers are finite, the guideline’s recommendations are based on the principles of risk management and aim to assist component users with the development of risk-based supplier qualification programs that may be used to help assess the reliability of component suppliers’ Certificates of Analysis and may assist the user in establishing an appropriate testing routine for incoming components. 

DOCUMENTS

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