With many animal nutrition companies grappling with issues concerning product consistency and quality assurance, Life Data Labs., Inc., has forged ahead of the competition by earning the coveted ISO 9001 certification. The Cherokee, Ala., producer of Farrier’s Formula and other animal nutrition products is among the first equine nutrition manufacturers in the world to earn this highly respected product quality recognition.

The International Organization for Standardization is a non-governmental federation of national standards bodies from 130 countries that work together to develop worldwide standards to assure quality and to facilitate the international exchange of goods and services.

“Since we’re introducing a new management system based on ISO 9001 to the animal nutrition industry, we’re leading the way in stringent quality-control systems,” says Dr. Frank Gravlee, Life Data Labs founder. “Regardless of where you are in the world or where the manufacturer is, ISO 9001 certification increases your assurance that consistent standards are being met.

Started in 1973, the company was among the first in the industry to print expiration dates and lot numbers on product containers. While other companies are now seeking ways to improve quality assurance by attempting to organize equine markets and manufacturers, Dr. Gravlee has already gone a step further. He says ISO 9001 product certification is the only standardization process that’s proven successful among many industries due to being rigorous, objective, and financially and politically independent.

“On the other hand, the whole idea of self-policing is questionable because self-interests are involved, money is involved and the…