Understanding Your Plate: What Does "Registered with the Vegan Society" Mean?

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

With over 70,000 products registered with its trademark worldwide, The Vegan Society offers one of the most trusted forms of ethical product verification. This certification, known as the Vegan Trademark, answers the crucial question: what does "registered with the vegan society" mean?

Quick Summary

The Vegan Trademark confirms a product meets strict standards, including no animal ingredients, no animal testing, and minimized cross-contamination. It ensures consumers can trust a product's vegan claim through a credible, third-party certification process.

Key Points

Credible Certification: The phrase signifies that a product carries the Vegan Trademark, a globally recognized, third-party certification from The Vegan Society.
Strict Standards: Certification requires meeting four core standards: no animal ingredients, no animal testing, no animal-derived GMOs, and minimized cross-contamination.
Consumer Assurance: It provides shoppers with an easy, reliable way to identify truly vegan products without needing to research every ingredient.
Process Verification: The registration process involves a paper-based audit of a company's ingredients and manufacturing methods to ensure full compliance.
Company Commitment: For businesses, registering products with the trademark demonstrates a genuine commitment to ethical vegan standards and transparency.
Differentiating Factor: It distinguishes independently verified vegan products from those with a self-declared, unregulated 'vegan' claim.
Support for Advocacy: The fees paid by companies to register their products help fund The Vegan Society's ongoing charitable work and advocacy.

What is the Vegan Trademark?

Seeing a product registered with The Vegan Society is a significant indicator of authenticity for those seeking vegan products. The Vegan Trademark is an internationally recognized standard established in 1990 by The Vegan Society, the charity that originated the term 'vegan' in 1944. This certification is managed by vegan experts and is a verification process, not just a company's own claim. The presence of the sunflower logo indicates the product has been audited and meets stringent criteria for consumer confidence.

The Four Core Standards of Registration

To obtain the Vegan Trademark, products must meet four key standards throughout their development and manufacturing:

No animal ingredients: Products must be free of all animal-derived substances. This includes meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and any other animal by-products or derivatives, even those that might be less obvious.
No animal testing: Animal testing is prohibited at all stages of development and manufacture for both the product and its ingredients. This applies to testing done by the company or on its behalf across the supply chain.
No animal-derived GMOs: The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) containing animal genes is not permitted in or for the product's creation.
Minimized cross-contamination: Companies are required to have practical and reasonable measures to minimize the risk of non-vegan substances contaminating the product during production. These procedures ensure the final product is free from animal traces.

The Benefits of Looking for a Registered Product

In a market filled with various 'vegan' claims, the Vegan Trademark offers independently verified assurance. It simplifies shopping for consumers by eliminating the need to extensively research ingredients and manufacturing methods. For businesses, it builds trust and demonstrates a commitment to vegan standards. The registration process also helps brands ensure their supply chains are ethical and transparent.

How to Check for Vegan Trademark Registration

Consumers can verify a product's registration by using the search function on The Vegan Society's website. This tool allows searching for products or brands and browsing categories for certified items. While the sunflower logo is a trusted indicator, the online search is a helpful resource for confirmation or finding new products.

Vegan Trademark vs. Self-Claimed 'Vegan' Label

Many products have a 'vegan' label without independent verification. The table below highlights the differences and the reliability of third-party certification.


Feature	Registered with the Vegan Trademark	Self-Claimed 'Vegan' Label
Independent Verification	Yes, by Vegan Society experts.	No, relies on company's own standards.
Ingredient Scrutiny	Rigorous check of all ingredients.	Can be less comprehensive.
Animal Testing Policy	Prohibits animal testing at all stages.	Less clear; may allow testing on ingredients.
Cross-Contamination Measures	Requires strict procedures.	No required standards; higher risk.
Transparency & Accountability	High due to external review.	Lower; claims not audited.

The Rigorous Registration Process for Businesses

The registration process for companies is thorough to maintain the trademark's integrity. It includes application, review and payment, audit, and final registration. The audit involves a paper-based review by an experienced team to examine ingredients, manufacturing, and supply chain for any animal exploitation. Licenses are granted for 12, 24, or 36 months and reviewed annually to ensure ongoing compliance. This process ensures the brand's claim is valid, providing peace of mind for both the company and consumers.

The Vegan Trademark: Beyond a Label

The Vegan Trademark supports The Vegan Society's charitable activities, including education, policy campaigning, and nutritional guidance. By choosing registered products, consumers contribute to the growth of the vegan movement. It serves as a valuable tool for promoting ethical standards and increasing the availability of genuinely vegan products.

Conclusion

When a product is registered with the vegan society, it signifies that it meets stringent ethical standards. This third-party verification ensures the product is free from animal ingredients, animal testing, and animal-derived GMOs, with measures against cross-contamination. It offers a level of trust superior to self-declared labels, benefiting ethical consumers and demonstrating a company's genuine commitment. By selecting products with the Vegan Trademark, you can confidently make choices that align with compassionate values, supported by a consistent and reputable standard.

Shop with confidence for products carrying the Vegan Trademark on the official Vegan Society website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Vegan Trademark is an internationally recognized certification for vegan products, managed by The Vegan Society, the charity that created the term 'vegan' in 1944.

The Vegan Trademark symbol is a sunflower logo with the word 'Vegan'. You can find it on a wide range of products, from food to cosmetics.

A company must apply and go through a four-step process that includes a paper-based audit of all ingredients and production methods to ensure they meet the trademark's standards.

Yes, The Vegan Society registers individual products, not entire companies. This means a company can register its vegan options even if it produces non-vegan products as well.

While registration requires companies to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimize cross-contamination, it is not a 100% guarantee, especially in facilities that also handle non-vegan products. However, it ensures strict measures are in place.

Yes, a core standard of the Vegan Trademark is that no animal testing was involved in the development or manufacturing of the product or its ingredients.

Unlike the regulated Vegan Trademark, the 'plant-based' label is currently not legally defined in many regions and can sometimes contain small amounts of non-plant ingredients or be associated with products tested on animals. Registration with The Vegan Society guarantees comprehensive vegan standards.