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Industry Advisory Council — Charter and Terms of Reference
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, mandate or governance architecture has been amended.
| Institution | One Nutrition Intelligence Centre (ONIC) |
| Document | Industry Advisory Council — Charter and Terms of Reference |
| Authority | ONIC Governing Council |
| Institutional status | Advisory and consultative body |
To bring responsible industry into the ONIC ecosystem — not to influence scientific decisions, but to help translate nutrition integrity into industry practice at scale.
Intellectual Property & ConfidentialityThis 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.
- 1. Establishment and Status
- 2. Purpose
- 3. Institutional Position
- 4. Mandate
- 5. Composition
- 6. Membership and Appointment
- 7. Commitment to RNS and NIF
- 8. Chairperson and Board Leadership
- 9. Meetings and Working Mechanisms
- 10. Advisory Process and Recommendations
- 11. Scientific Independence and Institutional Firewall
- 12. Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality
- 13. Good Standing and Continuing Eligibility
- 14. Use of Membership and ONIC Identity
- 15. Accountability, Review and Amendment
- 16. Effective Date
1. Establishment and Status
The ONIC Industry Advisory Council ("IAC" or "Council") is constituted by the Governing Council of the One Nutrition Intelligence Centre (ONIC) pursuant to the powers vested in the Governing Council under the ONIC Governance Doctrine (Volume I) to constitute such committees, advisory bodies, working groups and other mechanisms as it may consider necessary for the effective functioning and advancement of ONIC.
The Industry Advisory Council shall serve as the principal structured interface between ONIC and responsible industry, bringing industry experience, implementation perspectives, technological developments and market intelligence into ONIC's institutional deliberations.
The IAC shall be an advisory and consultative body to the Governing Council. It shall report to the Governing Council and shall remain outside ONIC's formal governance, executive, scientific, ethical, validation, certification and appeals decision-making architecture.
The Board shall have no executive, regulatory, scientific approval or certification authority.
2. Purpose
The purpose of the Industry Advisory Council is to ensure that ONIC remains connected with the evolving realities of nutrition, health, food systems, technology, manufacturing, innovation and markets while preserving the independence and scientific integrity of its institutional frameworks.
The Board shall provide the Governing Council with informed industry perspectives to support:
- responsible nutrition;
- evidence-led product development;
- implementation and adoption of ONIC frameworks;
- industry transformation;
- innovation and emerging technologies;
- manufacturing and supply-chain excellence;
- consumer transparency and trust through awareness;
- global competitiveness;
- development of a credible responsible-nutrition ecosystem; and
- identification of emerging opportunities, barriers and ecosystem needs relevant to Nutrition Integrity and Consumer Trust.
The IAC shall provide a formal mechanism through which industry can contribute to ONIC's evolution without exercising control over ONIC's standards or individual scientific determinations.
3. Institutional Position
The Industry Advisory Council shall operate under the authority of and report to the ONIC Governing Council.
Its position within the ONIC institutional architecture shall be based upon a clear separation of functions:
- Governing Council — Institutional governance, policy direction and oversight.
- Independent Scientific and Ethical Mechanisms, including the IRB — Scientific, technical and ethical review and determinations within their respective mandates.
- ONIC Secretariat — Administration, coordination and implementation.
- Industry Advisory Council — Industry consultation, strategic advice, implementation perspectives and market intelligence.
The IAC shall not form part of the chain of authority responsible for individual validation, certification, scientific determination, ethical review or appeal.
4. Mandate
The Industry Advisory Council shall advise the Governing Council on matters referred to it by the GC or identified by the Council as being of strategic importance to ONIC and accepted for consideration by the GC.
Its mandate shall include the following:
4.1 Responsible Nutrition Standard (RNS)
The IAC may advise on the industry applicability, implementation and adoption of the Responsible Nutrition Standard, including:
- practical implementation requirements;
- emerging product and nutrition categories;
- manufacturing and quality considerations;
- transparency and traceability;
- implementation challenges;
- technology readiness;
- requirements of startups and MSMEs;
- international market expectations;
- export readiness; and
- mechanisms for wider voluntary adoption of responsible nutrition practices.
Where the Governing Council is considering the development or revision of RNS, it may seek structured industry consultation through the IAC.
Such consultation shall be advisory and shall not confer upon the IAC authority to determine scientific thresholds or approve the RNS.
4.2 Nutrition Integrity Framework (NIF)
The IAC may advise the Governing Council on the practical implementation, industry adoption and continuing relevance of the Nutrition Integrity Framework (NIF).
Such advice may include perspectives relating to:
- evidence and transparency expectations;
- responsible product development;
- integrity of nutrition claims;
- industry implementation pathways;
- traceability and consumer-facing transparency;
- emerging technologies and business models;
- manufacturing and supply-chain practices;
- implementation challenges across different categories and enterprise sizes; and
- developments that may have implications for nutrition integrity.
The scientific, ethical and governance principles underlying the NIF shall remain within the authority of the competent ONIC governance and scientific mechanisms.
4.3 Innovation and Emerging Technologies
The Board may advise ONIC on developments capable of shaping the future of responsible nutrition, including:
- artificial intelligence and computational nutrition;
- precision and personalised nutrition;
- new ingredients and formulation technologies;
- biotechnology;
- advanced manufacturing;
- digital traceability;
- data-driven nutrition;
- new testing and validation technologies; and
- other emerging technologies relevant to ONIC.
4.4 Industry Adoption and Transformation
The Board may recommend strategies to facilitate wider industry adoption of responsible nutrition principles, including mechanisms for:
- transition towards evidence-led product development;
- adoption of transparency and traceability;
- capacity building;
- responsible innovation;
- startup and MSME participation;
- industry awareness;
- voluntary adoption of RNS and NIF principles; and
- strengthening consumer confidence.
4.5 Market and Global Intelligence
The IAC may provide strategic intelligence to the Governing Council regarding:
- emerging global nutrition trends;
- changing consumer expectations;
- international market requirements;
- new product categories;
- supply-chain developments;
- export opportunities;
- technological disruption;
- investment and innovation trends;
- responsible communication and market integrity; and
- developments affecting the competitiveness of the nutrition industry.
4.6 Collaboration and Ecosystem Development
The IAC may advise the Governing Council on responsible industry engagement, collaboration and market development opportunities relevant to the ONIC ecosystem.
4.7 Matters Referred by the Governing Council
The IAC may examine and provide recommendations on any other industry, implementation, technology, innovation or market-related matter referred to it by the Governing Council.
Mandate Boundary
The IAC may inform practicability, implementation and adoption. Scientific interpretation and application of the RNS and NIF, and any scientific, ethical or certification determination, remain within the independent authority established under the ONIC Governance Doctrine (Volume I) and its associated governance mechanisms.
5. Composition
The Industry Advisory Council shall comprise eminent industry leaders and senior professionals capable of contributing to ONIC's mission and the advancement of responsible nutrition.
The composition should, to the extent practicable, reflect the broader nutrition and health value chain and may include representation from:
- food and nutrition;
- nutraceuticals and dietary supplements;
- functional foods and beverages;
- ingredients and biotechnology;
- medical and healthcare nutrition;
- pharmaceutical and life-sciences enterprises relevant to nutrition;
- manufacturing and contract manufacturing;
- testing, quality and laboratory ecosystems;
- AI, digital health and nutrition technology;
- traceability and supply-chain technology;
- startups and emerging enterprises;
- retail and digital commerce;
- packaging, sustainability and responsible sourcing; and
- investment, innovation and market-access ecosystems.
- The Governing Council may include such other sectors as it considers strategically relevant.
Members should ordinarily be Chairpersons, Founders, CEOs, Managing Directors, Presidents, Chief Scientific Officers, Chief Innovation/R&D Officers or persons of comparable seniority, expertise and standing.
The Governing Council shall determine the size and sectoral balance of the Council from time to time.
6. Membership and Appointment
Membership of the Industry Advisory Council shall be by invitation and appointment of the Governing Council and is not a commercial entitlement.
In making appointments, the GC should have regard to:
- professional and institutional standing;
- industry experience and leadership;
- commitment to responsible nutrition and Nutrition Integrity;
- contribution to science, innovation, manufacturing or industry transformation;
- institutional credibility and integrity;
- absence of material conflicts;
- capacity to contribute meaningfully to ONIC;
- diversity of industry perspective; and
- alignment with the objectives and principles of ONIC.
As a condition of appointment, the Governing Council may require members or their represented organisations to execute the ONIC Responsible Nutrition Commitment Declaration and, where applicable, any institutional integrity instrument required under the ONIC governance framework.
Members shall serve for the term specified in their appointment instrument and may be eligible for reappointment. The Governing Council may determine the conditions for reappointment, resignation, replacement or cessation of membership.
7. Commitment to RNS and NIF
A defining principle of the Industry Advisory Council shall be that its members demonstrate leadership in the advancement of responsible nutrition.
Accordingly, every member shall be expected to formally acknowledge and voluntarily support the principles and objectives of the Responsible Nutrition Standard (RNS) and the Nutrition Integrity Framework (NIF).
As a condition of appointment, the Governing Council may require members or their represented organisations to execute an ONIC Responsible Nutrition Commitment Declaration, confirming their commitment to:
- evidence-led and scientifically responsible nutrition;
- consumer safety and integrity;
- transparency in nutrition products and claims;
- responsible innovation;
- progressive adoption of applicable RNS and NIF principles;
- scientific independence of ONIC;
- responsible use of data and emerging technologies; and
- ONIC's conflict-of-interest and institutional integrity requirements.
This commitment is intended to create a leadership community of enterprises willing to advance responsible nutrition practices and encourage broader industry adoption.
No Deemed CertificationAcceptance or endorsement of the principles of RNS or NIF shall not constitute certification, validation, approval or endorsement by ONIC of any member, company, product, ingredient, formulation, claim or service.
Where a member or its organisation seeks ONIC validation or Nutrition Integrity Certification, it shall be subject to the same applicable scientific, technical and governance processes as any other applicant.
Membership shall provide no preferential treatment in such processes.
8. Chairperson and Board Leadership
The Governing Council shall appoint the Chairperson of the Industry Advisory Council and may appoint one or more Vice-Chairpersons where considered appropriate.
The Chairperson shall:
- provide strategic leadership to the Council;
- preside over its meetings;
- ensure balanced representation of industry perspectives;
- maintain the Council within its approved mandate;
- facilitate development of recommendations; and
- present or transmit the Council's recommendations to the Governing Council.
The appointment of a Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson shall not confer any authority in relation to ONIC's scientific, certification or ethical determinations.
The ONIC Secretariat shall provide administrative and coordination support to the Council. Such support shall not confer scientific or decision-making authority on the Council.
9. Meetings and Working Mechanisms
The IAC shall meet at such frequency as determined by the Governing Council or the Chairperson in consultation with the ONIC Secretariat.
Meetings may be held physically, virtually or in hybrid form.
The Board may, with appropriate authority of the GC, establish sectoral or thematic working groups to examine specific issues relating to RNS, NIF, technology, manufacturing, innovation, market development or other areas falling within its mandate. Such working groups may be time-bound where determined appropriate by the Governing Council.
Experts, institutional representatives and special invitees may be invited to participate in particular deliberations where their expertise is considered relevant. Participation as an expert or special invitee shall not confer membership rights or any decision-making authority of the Council.
The ONIC Secretariat shall provide administrative and coordination support to the Council.
10. Advisory Process and Recommendations
Recommendations of the Industry Advisory Council shall be advisory and non-binding.
Where appropriate, a formal recommendation submitted to the Governing Council should identify:
- the matter considered;
- relevant industry perspectives;
- implementation implications;
- areas of consensus;
- material divergent views;
- conflicts of interest, where relevant; and
- recommendations for consideration by the GC.
The Governing Council may accept, modify, refer for further scientific or technical examination, defer or decline any recommendation of the IAC.
Where a recommendation has scientific, ethical or technical implications, the GC may refer the matter to the competent ONIC scientific or governance mechanism before taking a decision.
Meeting deliberations shall be recorded in concise minutes. A formal recommendation constitutes a structured advice instrument and shall be distinct from routine minutes of proceedings.
11. Scientific Independence and Institutional Firewall
The Industry Advisory Council shall have no authority to determine, approve, reject or influence any individual scientific validation, certification, ethical determination or appeal.
Neither the Council nor any of its members shall participate, by virtue of IAC membership, in decisions concerning:
- an individual product or applicant;
- scientific validation of a dossier;
- RNS assessment or certification;
- Nutrition Integrity Certification;
- ethical or IRB determination;
- individual product claims;
- case-specific surveillance;
- appeals; or
- any other determination reserved for an independent ONIC scientific, ethical or certification mechanism.
Industry consultation may inform the practicability and implementation of ONIC frameworks. It shall not determine their scientific thresholds.
No member shall receive preferential access, consideration or treatment in any ONIC validation, certification, partnership or procurement process by reason of IAC membership.
Confidential scientific submissions and case-specific scientific or applicant records shall not be placed before the Council.
12. Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality
Members shall disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest relevant to matters under consideration by the Council.
Where a matter directly and materially affects a member, the organisation represented by that member, or a significant commercial interest of the member, appropriate measures may include disclosure, recusal from deliberation, abstention from recommendation or such other safeguards as may be considered necessary.
Members shall maintain the confidentiality of non-public information received in connection with their participation in the Council. A member shall not use IAC participation to obtain confidential information, improper commercial advantage or preferential treatment for themselves or any represented organisation.
Case-specific confidential scientific, commercial or applicant information shall not ordinarily be placed before the IAC except where appropriately anonymised, aggregated or otherwise authorised under ONIC governance requirements.
13. Good Standing and Continuing Eligibility
Representation on the Industry Advisory Council is subject to continuing satisfaction of the conditions of appointment.
If the represented organisation or member:
- materially misrepresents its association with ONIC or its IAC participation;
- ceases to satisfy applicable eligibility requirements for continued representation; or
- otherwise acts in a manner inconsistent with the responsibilities and obligations of IAC membership,
the matter may be referred to the Governing Council for review.
Any decision concerning continuation, replacement or cessation of IAC membership remains exclusively with the Governing Council, in accordance with this Charter and the ONIC Governance Doctrine.
14. Use of Membership and ONIC Identity
Members may accurately identify themselves or their organisations, as applicable, as participants in the ONIC Industry Advisory Council, subject to ONIC's communication and brand-use requirements.
Such membership shall not be represented as:
- ONIC certification or RNS compliance;
- Nutrition Integrity Certification;
- scientific validation;
- product approval;
- regulatory recognition;
- governmental endorsement; or
- preferential standing in ONIC's scientific or certification processes.
- The Governing Council may prescribe appropriate communication guidelines for use of IAC membership.
15. Accountability, Review and Amendment
The Industry Advisory Council shall remain accountable to the Governing Council.
The GC may periodically review its:
- composition and sectoral representation;
- effectiveness;
- recommendations;
- participation;
- conflicts of interest;
- contribution to industry adoption; and
- continuing relevance to ONIC's institutional objectives.
The Governing Council may amend, restructure or dissolve the IAC, or amend this Charter, in accordance with the powers available to it under the ONIC Governance Doctrine.
In the event of any inconsistency between this Charter and the ONIC Governance Doctrine (Volume I), the Governance Doctrine shall prevail.
16. Effective Date
This Charter and Terms of Reference shall come into effect upon its approval by resolution of the ONIC Governing Council.
Institutional PrincipleThe ONIC Industry Advisory Council creates a formal bridge between scientific integrity and industry adoption and implementation of NIF.
It enables industry to contribute its experience, capabilities and understanding of markets while ensuring that ONIC's scientific and certification architecture remains independent.
Its institutional purpose is therefore clear:
To bring responsible industry into the ONIC ecosystem — not to influence scientific decisions, but to help translate nutrition integrity into industry practice at scale.