Bedmax becomes first company accredited to BETA’s new Bedding Industry Manufacturing Standard

Bedmax has become the first equine bedding company to become British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) NOPS accredited. The scheme aims to minimise the risk of contamination by naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS) in equine bedding products.

This means that products from BEDMAX’s range, including Littlemax, Stockmax shavings and the recently launched, Strawmax straw pellet bedding, all conform to the current best practice in minimising the risk of contamination by NOPS.

The list of naturally occurring prohibited substances is long, and the rules can be difficult to navigate. The problem often lies in inadvertent cross-contamination from external sources which is not just a problem for professional riders, but amateur and hobby riders too.

Prohibited substances in bedding can be absorbed into a horse or pony’s system if contaminated bedding becomes mixed up in hay, for example, and small quantities can be detected and result in a positive doping test.

BETA first launched its NOPS Code for Equine Feed in response to the increase in incidents in positive doping tests. Further research revealed that bedding is also a common source of cross-contamination, and so the BETA NOPS Code for Equine Bedding was set up to recognise manufacturers that conform to the current best practice in minimising the risk of contamination by NOPS.

Claire Williams, Executive Director of BETA said: “I am so pleased to see the years of work on this scheme coming to fruition.  It seemed logical to develop this programme to complement the NOPS Feed code, when bedding and feed are so closely associated. Working alongside our independent auditors, Kiwa, we have produced a scheme that adds another level of risk assessment to bedding production that I believe is unique. 

“Congratulations are due to Bedmax on auditing successfully to the standard.  I know how much work they have put in to ensuring that they meet the standards that we have set.”

For Tim Smalley, Managing Director at Bedmax, NOPS accreditation is a landmark in the bedding company’s 21-year commitment to excellence.  “This is a very positive step forward for both Bedmax and the equine industry, especially professional riders and trainers. Unlike feeds and supplements, you don’t get a list of ingredients on a bag of bedding so it’s important to know that the manufacturer has taken steps to ensure the product does not contain prohibited substances.

“I am delighted that we are the first bedding company to carry the BETA NOPS badge and  I hope this will help all equestrian organisations in their drive to make competition at all levels as clean and fair as possible. We pride ourselves on providing customers with the highest quality of equine bedding, and this is a milestone achievement for us as a company.”