What is Informed Sport certification and who has it in South Africa?

What is Informed Sport?

Informed Sport is a certification programme run by LGC, the laboratory formerly known as HFL Sport Science, launched in 2008. The key features:

• Every batch is tested before release for more than 285 prohibited substances.
• The manufacturer's site and processes are audited.
• There is ongoing blind retail testing.
• Athletes can check a batch number on the public register online.

A sibling scheme, Informed Choice (also LGC, launched 2007), uses the same laboratory methods but monitors through retail sampling (at least 12 lots a year) rather than every batch. It is aimed at general consumers rather than drug-tested elite athletes.

How does it compare with other schemes?

Neither SAIDS nor WADA endorses any scheme, and none guarantees zero risk. SAIDS says third-party testing reduces but does not remove risk.

Who has it in South Africa?

This is where we need to be careful. Under our verification rules, a brand is described as certified only if it appears on the scheme's public register for that product or batch. In our October 2026 review:

• Biogen: the Dis-Chem listing for Biogen Creatine Monohydrate states "Informed Sport: yes", and Biogen's own article says its Premium Pre-Workout is batch-tested by LGC. Other Biogen pages cite Informed Choice. These are seller claims; we did not check the register.
• USN: product pages for several lines (such as Isozero, Hardcore Whey gH and XTS Hyperdrive) cite Informed Choice and batch testing. Again, not checked on the register.
• NPL: says "third-party lab tested" without naming a certifier.
• ATP Fitness: no third-party sport certification is published. It is a single-ingredient, no-sweetener brand, which lowers formulation risk, but it is not a substitute for batch testing if you compete in tested sport.
• Evox, Primal and Foundation creatine pages: no certification shown on the pages we read.

The Informed Sport programme was launched locally at a South African supplement summit in 2013, alongside Informed Choice, according to SAIDS. That history does not tell us which current products are certified.

How should you use this?

1. Decide whether you need a supplement at all (can supplements cause a failed test).
2. If you are tested, choose a product on the Informed Sport or NSF register and check the batch number you hold.
3. For creatine, Biogen's 500 g tub costs R445 at Dis-Chem (R4.45 per 5 g, October 2026); verify its batch before relying on the claim (best creatine).
4. Keep your receipt and a sample.

Full steps are in how to check a supplement for drug-tested sport.

Products mentioned