Vegan certification questions, answered.

Validated Vegan is an independent, third-party vegan certification body based in Washington, DC. We inspect, review and audit products against a published vegan standard and license the Validated Vegan seal to products that pass. We certify products for brands around the world.

Food, beverages, alcohol, textiles, cosmetics, supplements, vitamins, household cleaning products and virtually any product that could contain animal ingredients or by-products. The seal can be used on certified products anywhere in the world. See what we certify.

“Plant-based” describes what a product is mainly made from. A plant-based product can still contain trace animal-derived ingredients or processing aids, or have been tested on animals. Vegan certification covers all of it — ingredients, processing and animal testing — which is why vegan shoppers look for a vegan seal. Validated Vegan provides vegan certification, not plant-based certification.

“Vegan” is not legally defined by any single jurisdiction, so shoppers rely on independent certification to know a claim is genuine. Brands have claimed products were vegan only for inspections to reveal cross-contamination. A third-party seal separates genuinely vegan products from the imposters and builds consumer trust.

There are four steps: (1) apply and receive a fee quote, (2) submit documentation for every ingredient, (3) pass an audit of your ingredients and manufacturing process, and (4) receive a Letter of Certification. Certification is renewed every year. See the full process.

Typically 4–6 weeks. It can take longer depending on the number of ingredients, processes and suppliers involved. Prompt, complete replies to our questions keep things moving.

Fees depend on your product, its ingredients and its processes, so we quote each application individually after a few initial questions. Each brand needs its own licence. Request a custom quote.

One year. To confirm nothing has changed in a certified product, we require an annual audit and renewal.

No. To keep the vegan marketplace credible, we approve products one by one. We do not certify companies, plants, manufacturers, distributors, kitchens, restaurants, food trucks, farms, people, organisations or websites.

Yes. Each brand requires its own application, agreement and licensing fee. Animal-testing status is also assessed by brand, not by parent company.

A certified product and its ingredients must not have been tested on animals after the year 2000 — by the company, its suppliers or any contractor — and must not be tested in future. This covers all research use of animals, including nutrition and clinical trials, toxicity testing and tests “required by law”.

Yes, if the sugar manufacturer documents that it is not filtered through bone char. Liquid sweeteners also need documentation that no animal by-products are used for clarifying or defoaming.

Yes. Beer, wine, spirits, vinegar and fruit juice — as products or ingredients — need a statement confirming that no animal by-products are used as clarifying or filtering agents.

Honey and other bee products are not allowed. Non-animal GMOs are permitted, but animal genes are not. Cultures must be grown on non-animal media (with documentation); dairy starters and human or animal strains are not allowed.

The Validated Vegan seal may not be used on products sold or distributed in China where animal testing is required for that product.