Responsible Nutrition Integrity & Ethics Code

This publication presents the adopted text in a publication-grade institutional format. Editorial corrections are limited to typography, spacing, punctuation, hyphenation and other non-substantive matters. No substantive provision, authority, commitment or governance architecture has been amended.

This document is the exclusive property of One Nutrition Intelligence Centre (ONIC). It is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, adapted or used in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise — without the prior written authorisation of ONIC. This document is intended solely for the addressee and is strictly confidential. Unauthorised use, disclosure or reproduction is prohibited and may give rise to legal liability.

Preamble

The future of responsible nutrition requires more than regulatory compliance. It requires a shared commitment to science, evidence, safety, transparency, responsible innovation and consumer trust.

The One Nutrition Intelligence Centre (ONIC) establishes this Responsible Nutrition Integrity & Ethics Code ("Code") as the common commitment framework for responsible industry participation within the ONIC ecosystem.

The Code is founded upon the principles and objectives of the Responsible Nutrition Standard (RNS) and the Nutrition Integrity Framework (NIF) established under the ONIC Governance Doctrine.

Through voluntary acceptance of this Code, participating organisations affirm their commitment to advance responsible nutrition and progressively strengthen their practices in accordance with applicable RNS and NIF principles.

The Code does not create a separate scientific standard and shall not modify or substitute the RNS, NIF or the governance architecture established under the ONIC Governance Doctrine (Volume I).

1. Purpose

The Code establishes a single framework through which an organisation may:

• voluntarily affirm its commitment to responsible nutrition;
• support and progressively adopt applicable principles and requirements of RNS;
• support the objectives of NIF;
• undertake responsible and ethical industry practices; and
• become eligible for participation in designated ONIC industry mechanisms, including consideration for representation on the ONIC Industry Advisory Council (IAC).

Acceptance of this Code is voluntary. Once accepted, adherence to its commitments shall be a continuing condition of the organisation's participation under this framework.

2. Commitment to RNS and NIF

By accepting this Code, the organisation:

2.1 Responsible Nutrition Standard

Voluntarily accepts and supports the principles and objectives of the ONIC Responsible Nutrition Standard (RNS) and commits to progressively adopt its applicable principles and requirements within its relevant activities.

2.2 Nutrition Integrity Framework

Supports the ONIC Nutrition Integrity Framework (NIF) and its objective of advancing nutrition integrity through evidence, transparency, accountability and responsible innovation.

2.3 Continuous Improvement

Commits to progressively strengthen its practices as science, evidence, technology and applicable ONIC frameworks evolve.

3. Principles of Responsible Practice

In furtherance of these commitments, the organisation shall support the following principles:

4. Institutional Independence

Acceptance of this Code shall not confer upon an organisation any right to influence ONIC's scientific, ethical, validation or certification processes.

The organisation shall respect the independence of the Governing Council, IRB and other competent ONIC mechanisms established under the Governance Doctrine.

No participating organisation shall, by virtue of its participation under this Code or representation on the Industry Advisory Council:

• seek preferential scientific or certification treatment;
• improperly influence an individual assessment or determination;
• seek confidential information concerning another applicant;
• use institutional participation to obtain improper competitive advantage; or
• misrepresent its relationship with ONIC.

5. Relationship with Certification

Acceptance of this Code represents an institutional commitment to responsible nutrition. It is not a scientific determination.

Accordingly, acceptance of the Code shall not constitute or imply:

• RNS certification or confirmed RNS compliance;
• Nutrition Integrity Certification;
• scientific validation;
• approval of any product, ingredient, formulation or claim;
• regulatory or governmental recognition; or
• ONIC endorsement of the organisation or its products.

Any organisation seeking scientific validation or Nutrition Integrity Certification shall undergo the applicable independent ONIC process.

6. Industry Advisory Council

Acceptance of this Code shall be a foundational eligibility requirement for industry representation on the ONIC Industry Advisory Council (IAC).

An organisation represented on the IAC shall ordinarily be required to:

• have executed this Code;
• remain committed to its principles;
• remain in good standing within the ONIC ecosystem; and
• satisfy the eligibility requirements prescribed under the IAC Charter and Terms of Reference.

Acceptance of the Code shall not create an entitlement to IAC membership.

Appointment to the Industry Advisory Council shall remain exclusively within the authority of the ONIC Governing Council in accordance with the Governance Doctrine and IAC Charter.

7. Good Standing

Organisations participating under this Code shall be expected to remain in good standing.

Material or persistent conduct inconsistent with the Code may be subject to review in accordance with procedures established by ONIC.

Where appropriate, such review may provide for:

• Clarification
• Corrective Action
• Suspension or Withdrawal of Participation

Any action affecting representation on the Industry Advisory Council shall remain subject to the authority of the Governing Council and applicable IAC governance requirements.

8. Use of ONIC Association

An organisation that has executed and remains in good standing under this Code may describe itself only in such manner as may be authorised by ONIC.

Participation under this Code shall not be represented as ONIC certification, product approval or scientific endorsement.

Any use of ONIC's name, identity, designation or mark shall remain subject to applicable ONIC communication and brand requirements.

9. Governance

This Code shall operate under the institutional authority of ONIC and oversight of the ONIC Governing Council.

It shall be interpreted consistently with the ONIC Governance Doctrine, RNS and NIF.

Nothing in this Code shall amend, override or substitute any authority, standard, requirement or process established under those instruments.

In the event of inconsistency, the ONIC Governance Doctrine (Volume I) shall prevail.

We, the undersigned organisation, having considered the ONIC Responsible Nutrition Integrity & Ethics Code, voluntarily affirm our commitment to responsible nutrition.

We hereby:

• accept and support the principles and objectives of the ONIC Responsible Nutrition Standard (RNS);
• support the Nutrition Integrity Framework (NIF);
• commit to progressively adopt applicable RNS and NIF principles within our relevant activities;
• accept the principles of responsible and ethical industry practice set out in this Code;
• commit to evidence, safety, quality, transparency, responsible innovation and consumer trust; and
• undertake to respect the independence and integrity of ONIC's scientific, ethical, governance and certification processes.

We understand that execution of this Code represents our voluntary institutional commitment and does not constitute RNS certification, Nutrition Integrity Certification, scientific validation, product approval or endorsement by ONIC.

For and on behalf of the Organisation

For official use only. To be completed by an authorised ONIC officer upon acceptance of the organisational declaration.

Our Shared Commitment

Evidence. Safety. Transparency. Responsibility. Integrity.

Together, advancing a nutrition ecosystem worthy of consumer trust.