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Our Certification Process

Choosing a certification mark is about more than displaying a logo. It is about demonstrating that your products have been independently assessed against clear, published standards.

At the Vegetarian Society, our certification schemes are designed to provide confidence for manufacturers, retailers and consumers by combining robust technical assessment with transparent governance.

Clear Certification Criteria

Every product is assessed against defined certification criteria specific to the Vegetarian Approved, Vegan Approved or Plant-Based Approved schemes.

These standards set out the requirements products must meet before certification can be granted and are reviewed periodically to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

Evidence-Based Ingredient Assessment

Every ingredient submitted as part of an application is reviewed using our bespoke ingredient assessment system.

The system compares ingredients against our technical knowledge base, helping assessors apply previous decisions consistently while identifying ingredients that require further investigation.

Where an ingredient could originate from different sources or requires additional clarification, we work directly with applicants to obtain the information needed before reaching a certification decision.

When new ingredients are encountered, they are researched against our certification criteria and documented to support consistent assessments in future applications.

Independent Certification Decisions

Certification decisions are made by trained Certification Assessors using documented procedures and published standards.

Where complex or novel technical questions arise, assessments can be escalated through our internal governance process and, where appropriate, independent technical expertise may be sought before a final decision is made.

Consistent and Transparent Processes

Our certification schemes are supported by documented procedures that promote consistency, fairness and transparency throughout the certification process.

These include procedures covering:

Certification assessments
Ingredient assessment
Complaints and appeals
Conflict of interest and impartiality

Our governance framework is regularly reviewed as our certification schemes continue to evolve

Supporting Businesses

Our aim is to make certification straightforward while maintaining the integrity of our approval marks.

Throughout the certification process, our team works closely with applicants to answer questions, clarify ingredient information where required and provide clear guidance on certification requirements.

Confidence for Consumers

50+

Years

For more than 50 years, the Vegetarian Society Approved trademarks have helped consumers identify products suitable for vegetarian, vegan and plant-based diets.

Today, our certification marks appear on thousands of products sold across the UK and internationally, providing trusted recognition for consumers looking for clearly identified dietary options.

Our Commitment

We are committed to operating certification schemes that are:

Based on clear published standards
Supported by evidence-based assessment
Delivered through transparent and impartial processes
Designed to provide confidence for manufacturers, retailers and consumers

By combining technical expertise with robust governance, we help businesses demonstrate the dietary suitability of their products through certification that consumers can trust.