Becoming Vegan Certified: How, and more importantly, Why?
For most of us, veganism isn’t just a passive coincidence or a by-product; it’s a way of life, a pillar of our values, and something we must communicate to our audiences. The term “vegan” refers to a lifestyle choice that involves abstaining from the use of animal products, both in terms of consumption and other aspects of daily life. Veganism includes food and beverages and everyday products, such as cosmetics, clothing, and household products.
This broader scope allows companies in diverse sectors to meet the demand for vegan alternatives and tap into the growing ethical and environmentally conscious consumer market.
A vegan lifestyle emphasizes the avoidance of animal-derived ingredients and takes an ethical stance against the exploitation of animals, including rejecting animal testing in any form. By adopting a vegan lifestyle, individuals actively support the protection and well-being of animals and contribute to reducing environmental impacts associated with animal agriculture. Veganism promotes a compassionate and sustainable approach to living, aligning with principles of animal rights, environmental conservation, and personal health.
There are many ways to let the marketplace know we are vegan and have crafted vegan products but one of the most direct is to become vegan certified.
But why bother getting vegan certified at all? You know your product is vegan, and anyone who can read will also be able to attest that your product is vegan.
Because it’s good business practice.
Clarity and label transparency are just good practices. A vegan certification provides clear and concise information about the ingredients and processes used to create your product, ensuring that consumers can make informed choices about the food they eat. It adds accountability to your product and business. A vegan icon proudly stamped on your label is one of the clearest ways to communicate that fact to the marketplace.
How many of these symbols are an instant recognition that a product will meet your needs as a vegan consumer?
In recent years, there has been significant growth in the demand for vegan products as consumers increasingly seek out alternatives that align with their ethical and environmental values. As a result, more companies recognize the importance of catering to this expanding market by offering vegan options and obtaining vegan certifications. By obtaining vegan certification, companies can demonstrate their commitment to animal welfare, sustainability, and meeting the needs of conscious consumers. It opens new market opportunities and enhances brand reputation as more individuals gravitate towards vegan options.
Vegan certification ensures that products are manufactured without the use of animal ingredients and the testing or exploitation of animals. It provides consumers with the confidence that the products they purchase have undergone strict scrutiny and meet the standards of veganism.
But where is the best place to get your vegan certification? There is a range of options, but what you choose depends on your target audience and what your business aligns with. A cosmetic or beauty product that wants to convey the ethical treatment of living beings may opt for an endorsement from PETA, whereas a food product being sold overseas may want to invest in getting an internationally recognizable logo from BeVeg.
No matter where you decide to get your certification, the first step is to ensure you meet the basic criteria; for a product to be approved for Vegan Certification, it must not contain meat, fish, fowl, animal by-products, eggs or egg products, milk or milk products, honey or honey bee products, insects or products from insects such as silk or dyes, or sugar filtered with bone char or be processed with any animal products or by-products. This includes the contents, the testing phase, and even the cleaning of machinery used for processing.
Next, you must apply for certification; most organizations charge an application fee and an annual fee once approved. This is the cost of doing business, but it’s not too steep, especially if you consider it an investment in your values.
Whether you own a vegan restaurant, lodging establishment, training programs, or consulting business, obtaining certification establishes your commitment to providing vegan-friendly options and services; certification provides a guarantee that resonates with today’s conscious consumers.
The Vegan symbol on your product labels is a powerful marketing tool. It attracts ethically minded consumers seeking animal-free products. While positioning your brand as a trusted provider of ethical and environmentally conscious choices, reinforcing your reputation for sustainability and compassion.
A certification symbol acts as a badge of trust, assuring consumers that your offerings align with their values and dietary preferences.
Some certifications can essentially be bought outright, with few requirements.
Others are more involved processes. This can be more expensive but also result in added benefits, such as assistance in navigating the certification process, audits, training to ensure that businesses can maintain vegan practices effectively, ongoing compliance monitoring, and aid in promoting your business to the certifiers network, which you can leverage to attract more conscious consumers.
Though certification may be another process and another cost, if you are an admin superstar, go for it! It can be a simple procedure. But if you are a mess regarding applications and red tape navigation, go for one of the higher-priced certifications that lend support and guide you through the steps, eliminating the administrative headache.
The fact is that it draws in consumers and works to assist in ending animal exploitation. And that’s your Why.
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