# CV-FR-04 · “clinically proven”

Source: https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-04/

Claims Verified standard CV-FR-04: “clinically proven”, High. The rule, the authority behind it, and the line to cite it by. Standards version v1.4.1.

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CV-FR-04 · standards v1.4.1

# “clinically proven”

High False regulatory 1 of 109 standards

## How often we find it

Found on **139** of the 2,243 best-selling listings we have ruled, 156 times in total. That is 139 live product pages carrying this wording today.

## What this standard rests on

**FTC · US · statute**

[FTC Act s.5(a), 15 U.S.C. 45(a)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/45)

“unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce”

Source checked 2026-08-18.

**FTC · US · guidance**

[FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (December 2022)](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/health-products-compliance-guidance)

“health-benefit claims generally require randomised, controlled human clinical testing; this is the document Walmart's substantiation checklist is asking about”

Source checked 2026-08-18.

**Competition Bureau Canada · CA · statute**

[Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985 c. C-34, s.74.01(1)(b)](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-34/section-74.01.html)

“performance claims not based on an adequate and proper test, the proof of which lies on the person making the representation; the test must precede the claim”

Source checked 2026-08-18.

**Walmart · retailer · supply contract**

[Walmart Standards for Suppliers, Label and Market Products Accurately](https://corporate.walmart.com/suppliers/requirements/standards-for-suppliers)

“suppliers must support any claim they make with adequate substantiation”

Source checked 2026-08-18.

**Ad Standards Canada · CA · self-regulatory code**

[Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, clause 1(e)](https://adstandards.ca/code/the-code-online/)

“claims must be supported by competent and reliable evidence, disclosed to Ad Standards on request”

Source checked 2026-08-18.

## What kind of finding this is

Not a ruling. The claim may be permissible in this form, but only if the brand holds evidence meeting the cited standard. We do not hold or evaluate that evidence. Answer it in column (b).

## Cite this standard

Claims Verified, standard CV-FR-04 "clinically proven", standards v1.4.1, retrieved 06 November 2026, https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-04/

Or put it in your own policy

Marketing copy must not use "clinically proven" or equivalent wording. See Claims Verified standard CV-FR-04 (standards v1.4.1): https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-04/

Cite it freely with attribution and the version. The whole register is machine-readable at [/standards/registry.json](https://claimsverified.org/standards/registry.json). Rulings are our published professional opinion, not legal advice.

## Others in False regulatory

[CV-FR-01 · FDA approved](https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-01/) [CV-FR-02 · FDA certified / FDA endorsed](https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-02/) [CV-FR-03 · FDA registered (as a product claim)](https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-03/) [CV-FR-05 · scientifically proven / doctor proven](https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-05/) [CV-FR-06 · guaranteed results](https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-06/) [CV-FR-07 · 100% safe / no side effects](https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-07/) [CV-FR-08 · GMP certified (unverified)](https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-08/) [CV-FR-09 · patented formula (no patent)](https://claimsverified.org/standards/CV-FR-09/)

[All 109 standards and the 109 in force](https://claimsverified.org/standards/)  · [Check a listing against them free](https://claimsverified.org/check/)