MEMBER CENTER


AOAC INTERNATIONAL - Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ)



1. What does A-O-A-C stand for?
Our legal name since 1992 is AOAC INTERNATIONAL. In 1884 the organization was established as the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, our heritage. Later on, the name changed to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, a reflection of our membership. Subsequently, the membership changed to include microbiologists, food science personnel as well as chemists. We also became an organization of international influence and membership, so, it was decided to change to the current legal name...AOAC INTERNATIONAL. You will see a "tag line" used frequently...THE ASSOCIATION OF ANALYTICAL COMMUNITIES. This is merely a statement to encompass all the scientific disciplines involved in doing the work of the Association, not a legal name.


2. What is AOAC INTERNATIONAL?
AOAC INTERNATIONAL is the association committed to be a proactive, worldwide provider and facilitator in the development, use, and harmonization of validated analytical methods and laboratory quality assurance programs and services. AOAC also serves as the primary resource for timely knowledge exchange, networking, and high-quality laboratory information for its members.


3. What are the membership categories and benefits? (All dues are in US dollars)
- Individual Members

- Sustaining Members
All representatives are entitled to:

- Organizational Affiliate Members
The Organizational Affiliate Program provides a single level of support—the Leadership Circle (US$10,000 Annually)—and is designed for organizations seeking the highest level of engagement and involvement in AOAC INTERNATIONAL. With this program, information flows directly from the supporting organization to the highest levels of AOAC.

        Dues US$10,0000
        Direct involvement in, and impact on, the strategic direction of AOAC INTERNATIONAL,
          through participation on invitation-only meetings and forums;
        Increased opportunities for engagement with, and direct access to, AOAC leadership and senior staff;
        Hyperlink from AOAC web site to organization's home page; and
        Ten (10) Individual Member Representatives - Individual member representatives from each organization
          are entitled to all of the benefits of Individual Membership, including: access to critical technical information,
          professional development and recognition, networking opportunities,
          member discounts on AOAC products and services, and a subscription to Inside Laboratory Management, AOAC's magazine;
        Up to twenty-five non-member OMA-Online user licenses.

4. What is the AOAC Peer-Verified Methods SM Program?
AOAC Peer-Verified Methods SM Program offers expedited review of proposed methods. The performance characteristics of these methods are checked in one or more independent laboratories and measured against specific standards.


5. What is the Official MethodsSM Program?
The AOAC Official MethodsSM Program is designed to provide methods of analysis for which performance characteristics have been determined and tested. The cornerstone of this program is the inter laboratory collaborative study by which proposed methods are validated through independent testing in separate laboratories under identical conditions.


6. What are the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL?
The Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL is the authoritative compendium of methods for food, agricultural, pharmaceutical, environmental, and forensic analysis. This high-quality publication, available in print and on-line versions, offers the methods preferred by regulators and the courts, methods that can save you time and money, and a vehicle for maintaining your laboratory’s commitment to the highest quality standards.


7. What is the Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL?
The Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL is published six times a year and prints fully refereed contributed papers in the fields of chemical and microbiological analysis that bring you up-to-date on the latest practical methodology.


8. What AOAC Training Courses?
AOAC Training Courses are designed to provide hands-on training in specific topic areas and to assist analytical scientists to acquire the skills they need to address the daily challenges faced by their laboratories.


9. What are TDLM and TDRM?
Technical Division for Laboratory Management (TDLM) provides a forum for members to network, share information, and problem solve on issues related to managing an efficient, high-quality analytical laboratory, as well as critical issues such as laboratory accreditation. TDLM maintains a listserv where members can address questions ranging from quality assurance, training, and personnel management, to downsizing, safety, and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Dues for TDLM are US$20.

Technical Division on Reference Materials (TDRM) supports the AOAC INTERNATIONAL mission of promoting methods validation and quality measurements worldwide by working to match suitable, certified reference materials to Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL and by developing a lexicon of technical terms and definitions that are internationally accepted. Dues for TDRM are US$20.


10. Can memberships be transferred to other Individual Members?
Individual members can not transfer membership to another Individual. Sustaining Members and Organizational Affiliate Members appoint their representatives based on the level of dues and therefore can transfer dues to another representative.


11. I can’t afford to pay my membership, are there scholarships or deferments available?
No, there are no scholarships available. Unfortunately, the Association bylaws do not allow for dues waiver to current or potential members based on their economic situation. However, AOAC has a policy that allows unemployed members to take advantage of a one-year dues waiver. To request the dues waiver, you must write a letter to the Executive Director of the Association that states you are unemployed, actively seeking new employment, and request a waiver of dues.


12. Do you have a Student membership category?
Yes, AOAC welcomes undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, food sciences and other sciences to the mission of AOAC. The Student membership dues are US$40.00. As a Student member, you are entitled to all the benefits available to AOAC members.


13. My spouse is deceased, can I transfer membership to me or someone else?
No, there are no transfers of membership. Please let us know if you would like us to suspend (meaning cancel) the membership so that you no longer receive mailing.


14. I am retiring is there a special dues category for me?
Yes, you may request a dues waiver if you are no longer actively employed in a field relevant to the purpose of the Association and have served as a member for 10 or more years. You must make a request to the Executive Director of the Association that states you are retired and seek retired member status. The dues waiver fee is $60.00.


15. I am retiring/leaving the field, can I transfer my membership?
No, membership is non-transferable. Please let us know if you would like us to suspend (meaning cancel) the membership so that you no longer receive mailing.


16. Can I become a member and place my order at the same time?
Yes, you can become a member and place your order at the same time. Please use the prompts if ordering online or refer to the prompt on the paper application/order form where you can add the membership dues to your order.


17. A member is deceased and the company paid for his membership, can we transfer it and have the materials sent to a different person?
No, membership is non-transferable for Individual Members. Only SMO's and OAs are allowed to transfer membership to another representative Individual Member. Demographic information collected on AOAC members must match the actual member.


18. I was an Individual Member under the Sustaining Member or Organizational Affiliate Membership. I don’t want to lose my membership, can I transfer this to my own Individual Membership?
Yes, if you are no longer the SMO or OA representative, you can continue your Individual Membership by paying the Individual dues of $120.00


19. Can I get a refund on my membership?
No, there are no refunds on membership.


20. Can I pay my Section Membership through AOAC?
No, Sections are responsible for collecting their own dues.


21. Can I renew for multiple years?
Yes, AOAC allows for renewing for multiple years.


22. When I join AOAC, does that mean I am automatically enrolled in my Section?
Yes, you are automatically assigned a Section based on your demographic. Please contact your Section’s representative to enquire about membership. (See the Section information page) http://www.aoac.org/SECTIONS/sections.html


23. Is there a discount for joining at the Annual Meeting?
No, there is no discount for joining at the Annual Meeting. However, as a member you save over US$150 of the Annual Meeting registration fee.


24. Do you have another question?
Email AOAC at members@aoac.org.