What is the vegan stamp on products?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2023 report by Mintel, 57% of global beauty consumers are more likely to buy products labeled as vegan. This growing demand makes understanding what the vegan stamp on products signifies more important than ever for conscious consumers navigating supermarket shelves and online stores. These certified marks offer a quick, visual confirmation of a product's ethical credentials, saving shoppers from scrutinizing long and complex ingredient lists.

Quick Summary

A vegan stamp is a certification mark from a third-party organization, verifying a product is free of animal ingredients or by-products and has not been tested on animals. It ensures transparency and builds consumer trust in products across various categories, from food and beverages to cosmetics and clothing.

Key Points

Third-Party Verification: A vegan stamp, like those from The Vegan Society or BeVeg, is a logo placed on products by an independent organization to confirm its vegan status.
Not a Legal Requirement: The term 'vegan' is not strictly regulated by law in many regions, making third-party certification essential for consumer trust and accurate claims.
Goes Beyond 'Cruelty-Free': A vegan stamp guarantees no animal-derived ingredients and no animal testing, whereas 'cruelty-free' only addresses animal testing and may still contain animal products.
Simplifies Shopping: For busy consumers, a certified vegan logo on the packaging is a clear visual cue that saves them from having to analyze complex ingredient lists for hidden animal derivatives.
Ensures Ethical Sourcing: Certification bodies verify all ingredients, including additives and processing aids, and often check manufacturing processes to minimize cross-contamination with non-vegan substances.
Builds Consumer Confidence: Displaying a recognized vegan stamp enhances a brand's credibility and helps consumers feel assured in their ethical purchasing decisions.

What is a vegan stamp?

A vegan stamp, more accurately called a vegan certification mark or trademark, is a logo placed on a product by a third-party organization to verify it is free from animal-derived ingredients and has not been tested on animals. These certification marks are issued by various bodies, such as The Vegan Society and BeVeg, after a rigorous application process where manufacturers must provide documentation, and in some cases, undergo on-site inspections or ingredient testing.

The presence of a vegan stamp serves as a shortcut for consumers who want to make informed purchasing decisions based on their ethical beliefs. Without a certified mark, a 'vegan' claim on packaging is unregulated and may not be accurate, potentially misleading shoppers. A certified stamp offers a layer of trust and transparency that non-certified claims cannot match.

Why are vegan stamps necessary?

Unregulated 'Vegan' Claims: Unlike allergen-free labeling, the term 'vegan' is not legally defined in food law in many countries, meaning brands can use the word without independent verification.
Hidden Ingredients: Many animal-derived ingredients are not obvious from their names, like casein, whey, or shellac. Certification bodies vet every ingredient, including processing aids and additives, to ensure complete compliance.
Prevents Misleading Marketing: Terms like 'plant-based' or 'cruelty-free' can be confused with 'vegan'. The vegan stamp clarifies that the product adheres to a stricter standard of no animal ingredients and no animal testing.
Builds Consumer Trust: A third-party verification logo significantly increases a consumer's trust in a product's ethical claims, helping them feel confident in their purchase.

Leading vegan certification marks to know

Several organizations provide vegan certification, each with its own logo and process. Here are some of the most widely recognized stamps:

The Vegan Trademark (Sunflower Logo): Established in 1990 by The Vegan Society, this is one of the oldest and most trusted vegan certification marks. The sunflower logo is a reliable sign that a product and its ingredients were not tested on animals and do not contain any animal products.
Certified Vegan Logo: This logo, often a 'V' inside a heart or circle, is issued by Vegan Action. Their certification process is transparent and involves verifying every ingredient and manufacturing process to ensure strict vegan standards are met.
V-Label: An internationally recognized symbol for vegan and vegetarian products, the V-Label (a 'V' with a leaf) originated with the European Vegetarian Union. It provides clear, standardized labeling across many countries.
BeVeg: As the world's first and only ISO-accredited vegan certification program, BeVeg uses strict international standards to verify products. Their logo assures no animal ingredients, no animal testing, and no cross-contamination.

How to spot the difference between vegan and 'cruelty-free' stamps

It is crucial for consumers to understand the distinction between vegan and cruelty-free labels, as they address different ethical concerns. A product can be cruelty-free but still not vegan, and vice-versa.

Cruelty-Free Labels (e.g., Leaping Bunny, PETA's bunny logo)

Meaning: Confirms that the finished product and its ingredients were not tested on animals.
Ingredient Status: Does not guarantee the product is free of animal-derived ingredients like honey, beeswax, or milk.
Example: A hand lotion could be certified cruelty-free but still contain lanolin (a wool derivative), making it unsuitable for vegans.

Vegan Labels (e.g., Vegan Trademark, BeVeg)

Meaning: Ensures the product contains no animal-derived ingredients or by-products and was not tested on animals.
Ingredient Status: Guarantees a fully animal-free ingredient list, from main components to obscure additives.
Example: A foundation with a vegan stamp contains no animal products or by-products and has not been tested on animals at any stage of its development.

Comparative overview of vegan certifications


Aspect	The Vegan Trademark (Vegan Society)	BeVeg (ISO-Accredited)	V-Label (International)
Founded	1990	2017	1996
Accreditation	Self-managed by The Vegan Society	ISO/IEC 17065 accredited	Supported by the European Vegetarian Union
Scope	No animal ingredients, no animal testing, minimized cross-contamination.	No animal ingredients, no animal testing, no cross-contamination.	No animal ingredients (for vegan), minimal contamination.
Product Types	Food, cosmetics, clothing, household items.	All products, with a specialty in beverages.	Food, wine, cosmetics, services.
Process	Document review by experts, yearly renewal.	Ingredient research, supply chain investigation, potential testing and audits.	Audits and certification against scheme requirements.
Key Benefit	Long-standing, highly trusted global reputation.	Highest internationally accredited standard.	Standardized and recognized internationally.

Conclusion

The vegan stamp is a crucial tool for consumers committed to an ethical lifestyle, providing a clear, third-party verified guarantee that a product is completely free from animal ingredients and animal testing. With the market for vegan products expanding rapidly, the need for transparency is greater than ever. While 'cruelty-free' labels address animal testing, they don't cover ingredients, highlighting the importance of seeking a dedicated vegan certification mark. By recognizing trusted logos like The Vegan Trademark, BeVeg, or V-Label, consumers can shop with confidence, knowing their purchases align with their values of compassion and ethical responsibility. For brands, obtaining a vegan stamp is a powerful marketing tool that builds credibility and attracts the growing segment of conscious consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

While multiple reliable vegan certifications exist, The Vegan Trademark (sunflower logo), established by The Vegan Society in 1990, is one of the oldest and most widely recognized international standards. BeVeg also holds an ISO-accreditation, making it a highly respected standard globally.

Yes, a product with an official vegan stamp has been verified to be free of animal testing, as it is a core standard for most certification bodies like The Vegan Society and BeVeg. This is a crucial difference from 'cruelty-free' labels, which do not necessarily mean the product is vegan.

No, they are not always the same. While all vegan products are plant-based, not all plant-based products are vegan. 'Plant-based' can sometimes refer only to the main ingredients, potentially still containing animal derivatives like honey or milk. A vegan stamp guarantees the complete absence of all animal-derived ingredients and testing.

No, in many countries, using the term 'vegan' on packaging is not legally regulated in the same way as allergen labeling. This voluntary certification process provides independent, third-party verification that adds a layer of trust and assurance for consumers.

Certifying bodies examine a product's ingredient list, supply chain, and manufacturing process. They ensure no animal-derived ingredients or by-products are used, no animal testing has occurred, and measures are in place to minimize cross-contamination.

While certification bodies require manufacturers to implement strict cleaning and separation protocols to minimize cross-contamination, many will require precautionary allergen labeling (PAL), such as a 'may contain' statement, if a risk exists. This is primarily for those with severe allergies, as the standard is primarily ethical, not medical.

If a product lacks a certified logo, you must read the ingredients list carefully and look for common hidden animal-derived ingredients like casein, whey, gelatin, or carmine. If you are unsure, the most reliable option is to contact the manufacturer directly to inquire about their sourcing and manufacturing process.