Governance

We ensure the integrity of our operations through Corporate Governance, Financial Controls and Compliance and Supply Chain Security.

Corporate Governance

As a leading, independent organization dedicated to facilitating standards and providing third-party testing and certification, we are in the business of creating trust amongst consumers, manufacturers and regulatory bodies. As such, integrity, ethics, and responsible management are core to NSF's management and leadership and codified in our practices through a variety of mechanisms:

NSF operates under the 503 (C)(3) IRS filing status, reflecting our nonprofit status and unique heritage as a public health organization. Our governance structure includes two independent boards that oversee our operations.

Our ESG Council drives awareness and accountability throughout our organization. This dynamic council plays a pivotal role in steering key initiatives and shaping strategic plans related to ESG.

NSF employs a Code of Ethics for Suppliers, upholding suppliers to high standards of ethics in every facet of our operations. We have a dedicated hotline to address ethical concerns.

Financial Controls and Compliance

NSF actively subjects financial processes and practices to independent audits and accreditations. We voluntarily participate in internal audits throughout the year under the supervision of the Audit and Finance Committee of our Board of Directors. Our annual audit of the consolidated financial statements is performed externally by Deloitte, ensuring the accuracy of our financial reporting mechanisms.

Our corporate governance strategy helps us to mitigate risks and identify opportunities in our business. NSF leverages the knowledge and experience of our two independent boards to help us employ ethical practices and support financial performance with integrity and accountability.
Sean Etheridge
VP & Chief Legal Officer, NSF
Both internal and external audits help to ensure that NSF’s global financial controls are fully operational, underscoring the integrity of our financial operations. Both the internal and external audit teams report directly to the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, which ensures that independence and competence are at the forefront of our corporate governance.
Laura Tackett
Corporate Controller, NSF

Supply Chain Security

NSF's information security program leverages policies, standards and cutting-edge tools to secure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our information resources.

NSF obtained ISO/IEC 27001 certification in 2021, underscoring our commitment to best-in-class information security management within our supply chain. This internationally recognized certification demonstrates NSF's continued commitment to information security at every level, including that the security of data and information has been addressed, implemented and properly controlled in all areas of the organization.

Our Supplier Security Policy integrates information security requisites into contracts and statements of work. As part of our risk assessment process, we advocate for independent ISO 27001 certification or Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type 2 reports.