Certification process
From application to seal in 4–6 weeks.
Getting a product vegan certified with Validated Vegan takes four steps: apply, submit ingredient documentation, pass an audit, and receive your Letter of Certification. Most products are certified within 4–6 weeks.
- Turnaround 4–6 weeks
- Valid for 1 year
- Renewal Annual audit
- Scope Individual products
Step by step
How vegan certification works
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Step 1: Apply
Complete our application with a full description of your product so we can confirm it fits the scope of vegan certification. Tell us about your ingredients, manufacturing process, shared equipment and any animal-testing history.
You receive: a certification fee quote -
Step 2: Submit ingredients for review
Provide documentation for each ingredient showing it is not animal-derived and has not been tested on animals since the year 2000. Our ingredient form can be sent directly to your distributors and suppliers.
Tip: fast, complete answers shorten turnaround -
Step 3: Audit
Our auditors — with decades of combined experience in the standards industry — trace each ingredient to its source and verify your process. No animal ingredient or by-product may be used anywhere in manufacturing.
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Step 4: Certify
When every ingredient and process is approved, we issue your Letter of Certification and licence to use the Validated Vegan seal. Certification is valid for one year and renewed through an annual audit.
You receive: Letter of Certification · valid 12 months
Our standards in detail
The fine print,
made clear.
The rules our auditors apply — so you know exactly what documentation to prepare before you apply.
Animal testing
- No animal testing after the year 2000 on any ingredient or the final product — by you, a supplier or a contractor, even where “required by law”.
- No animal feed, nutrition or clinical trials, even where animals are not harmed.
- Testing status is assessed by brand, not by parent company.
- Whole plant parts that are only mechanically processed (sliced, dried, powdered, roasted, frozen) are exempt from testing documentation.
Cultures & biotechnology
- Culture media must be of non-animal origin, with documentation.
- Dairy starters are not permitted.
- No human or animal strains.
- No animal genes. Non-animal GMOs are permitted.
Sweeteners & beverages
- Sugar requires documentation from the manufacturer that it is not filtered with bone char.
- Liquid sweeteners also require proof that no animal by-products are used for clarifying or defoaming.
- Beer, wine, spirits, vinegar and fruit juice require a statement that no animal by-products are used for clarifying or filtering.
Scope & sourcing
- Fruits and vegetables are certified only when packaged.
- Products whose main ingredient is animal remains (e.g. shells) are not certified; diatomaceous earth is allowed in toothpaste, cleaners and as a filtering agent.
- No documentation is needed on fertilisers or plant harvesting practices.
Good to know
Licensing policies
Products, not companies
We certify individual products only — not companies, manufacturers, distributors, kitchens, restaurants, farms, people or websites.
One licence per brand
We can approve several brands under one parent company; each brand needs its own application, agreement and licensing fee.
Markets requiring animal testing
The seal may not be used on products sold or distributed in China where animal testing is required.
No human-derived ingredients
Products containing human-derived ingredients cannot be certified.
Contact us for a custom quote.
Our goal is a vegan standard that is credible, honest and fully accountable — and a process that’s easy to get through.