Interactive toolFood & Products
Certification Checker
Look up vegan certification marks (V-Label, Vegan Society, Certified Vegan, etc.) to understand what they actually guarantee, what they don't cover, and how reliable they are.
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Looking for a long read instead? Browse our vegan guides.
How to use this tool
Look up vegan certification marks (V-Label, Vegan Society, Certified Vegan, etc.) to understand what they actually guarantee, what they don't cover, and how reliable they are.
How it works
- Enter a certification name or describe what you see on the label.
- We explain what the certification requires and verifies.
- Learn what is and isn't covered (cross-contamination, parent companies, etc.).
- Understand the difference between vegan and cruelty-free certifications.
How to interpret the result
- Certifications indicate third-party verification of vegan standards.
- Standards differ between certifying bodies.
- Certification doesn't guarantee health or nutrition claims.
- Some certifications allow trace amounts or cross-contamination.
Important limitations
- We explain certification standards — we don't verify individual product certifications.
- Certification requirements change over time.
- Not all vegan products are certified — absence of a mark doesn't mean non-vegan.
Examples
V-Label
European certification with defined vegan standards for food and cosmetics.
Vegan Society
UK-based trademark — no animal ingredients, no animal testing.
Certified Vegan (Vegan Action)
US certification — no animal ingredients or byproducts.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all certification marks have the same standards.
- Thinking cruelty-free certification means vegan.
- Trusting uncertified 'vegan' marketing claims equally.
What to check next
- Read our full certification guide.
- Still read the ingredient list — certifications can be misapplied.
- Report suspected misuse of certification marks.
FAQ
- What does V-Label mean?
- V-Label is a internationally recognized vegan and vegetarian certification with defined standards for ingredients and production.
- Is Certified Vegan the same as Vegan Society?
- No — different organizations with different standards, though all require no animal ingredients.
- Can a certified product contain traces of milk?
- Some certifications allow trace amounts from cross-contamination. Check the specific certifier's policy.
- Do I still need to read labels if it's certified?
- Certification is strong evidence, but formulations can change. Checking labels is still good practice.
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