Vegan Certification for cosmetics has today become an essential benchmark for brands looking to build trust, expand their global reach, and meet the rising demand for ethical, cruelty-free beauty products.
The food, cosmetics, and personal-care industry is flooded with self-claimed “vegan” or “cruelty-free” labels that sound ethical but often lack real oversight. These programmes primarily verify the absence of animal testing, but they don’t audit the entire supply chain for animal-derived ingredients or facility-level compliance.
This creates a major trust gap: brands can use non-vegan ingredients or contract manufacturers that aren’t verified, yet still claim to be cruelty-free. Consumers today are increasingly aware of this loophole and demand deeper verification.
Self/No-Testing Claims vs. Third-Party Audited Vegan Certification
A self-claimed “vegan” or “not tested on animals” label is no longer sufficient, as customers increasingly seek independently verified, third-party audited certifications that demonstrate true transparency and credibility.
CGA’s vegan certification is a third-party audited vegan certification process that verifies not only the absence of animal testing but also the complete exclusion of animal-derived ingredients at every stage of production.
This level of verification provides a far higher degree of assurance and traceability. It confirms that the product’s ethical claim is substantiated through documentation, ingredient verification, and facility-level audits.
In this guide, we dive into:
- Vegan certification requirements
- Vegan certification process
- Benefits of vegan certification
- How to bundle your vegan certification with other claims
Vegan Certification Requirements for Cosmetics
Here are the general vegan certification requirements for cosmetics outlined under the CGA vegan standards:
| Category | Requirement | Details |
| 1. Ingredients Sourcing | No animal-derived materials | All raw materials, active ingredients, additives, and excipients must be free from animal origin (including milk, honey, beeswax, lanolin, carmine, collagen, gelatin, silk, and others). Plant-based or synthetic alternatives must be used. |
| 2. Cross-Contamination Control | Segregated handling and production | Facilities must implement procedures to prevent cross-contamination with non-vegan substances. Dedicated production lines or validated cleaning protocols are required if shared equipment is used. |
| 3. Processing Aids & Carriers | Vegan-compliant auxiliary materials | Processing aids such as glycerin, enzymes, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and solvents must be of plant-based or synthetic origin. Even if not present in the final product, they must comply. |
| 4. Supply Chain Documentation | Full traceability of raw materials | Manufacturers must provide supplier declarations, technical data sheets (TDS), and certificates of origin proving that no animal-derived materials were used at any stage. |
| 5. Testing & Quality Control | No animal testing at any stage | Neither the final product nor its ingredients may be tested on animals. This applies to both in-house and third-party testing, including regulatory testing where alternatives exist. |
| 6. Packaging & Labeling | Accurate vegan claims and labeling | Packaging must not contain animal-derived substances (e.g., certain glues, inks, dyes) and must clearly state vegan status. Misleading claims or unverified logos are prohibited. |
| 7. Supplier Compliance | Verified vegan compliance from third parties | Any outsourced processes (like encapsulation, fragrance development, or coating) must also comply with vegan requirements and be verified by the certification body. |
| 9. Facility Audit | On-site or remote vegan verification audit | Certification bodies often conduct audits to review ingredient sourcing, storage, cleaning, and manufacturing processes to confirm ongoing vegan compliance. |
| 10. Continuous Monitoring & Renewal | Annual recertification and surveillance | Vegan certification is typically valid for 1 year and requires renewal. Any formulation or supplier changes must be reported and reverified before continued use of the vegan logo. |
Vegan Certification Process for Cosmetics
Here’s the 5-step vegan certification process for cosmetics with Carat Global Assurance (CGA):
1. Application Submission
You share the details of your products, including full formulations and supplier declarations. This gives us the foundation to start the review.
2. Documentation Review
Our technical team goes through your ingredient lists, sourcing records, and raw material certifications with a fine-tooth comb. The goal is to confirm everything meets vegan standards before the facility audit.
3. Facility Audit
The vegan facility audit consists of a facility walkthrough, document verification, and preliminary staff training.
4. Certification Decision
Once compliance is confirmed, your facilities and products are officially approved and CGA vegan certified.
5. Ongoing Compliance and Renewal
Certification typically lasts one year. Annual renewals ensure your products remain compliant and ready for market.
Benefits of Vegan Certification for Cosmetic Manufacturers
Here are the core benefits of vegan certification for cosmetic manufacturers and brands:
Consumer Trust and Loyalty
Today’s buyers are more skeptical than ever. They don’t just want a self-claimed vegan brand, instead they want proof. A third-party vegan certification instantly signals that your brand is transparent, ethical, and serious about ingredient integrity. It tells customers that every product is 100% free from animal-derived materials and has been independently verified to meet strict standards.
Access to a Growing Market
The vegan beauty market is exploding, set to hit 24 billion dollars by 2028. Vegan certification can therefore open doors to new retail partnerships, online marketplaces, and global distribution channels where certification is often a prerequisite.
Competitive Differentiation
It’s easy for brands to claim they’re “vegan”, however a third-party audited certification, those claims are just marketing words. In an industry flooded with greenwashing and unverified claims, third-party certification separates the credible from the questionable. A recognized vegan certification mark gives you a tangible edge, whether on crowded shelves or in digital marketplaces.
Bundle Your Audits With CGA
As many cosmetic manufacturers and brands are now opting for multiple certifications, CGA also offers an integrated audit route. Instead of multiple audits, CGA allows you to combine them all into one efficient process.
You can therefore bundle Vegan Certification with:
Bundling benefits include:
- Less downtime for production
- Lower overall costs
- Faster approvals
- One coordinated audit
Speak to a Vegan Certification Specialist
Learn more about vegan certification today with CGA by getting in touch. Simply complete the form below or call our cosmetics division at +1 (813) 906-8113.d.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is proof that cosmetic products contain no animal ingredients, meet vegan standards, and follow strict documentation and labeling rules.
The certification process usually takes 6 to 12 weeks, depending on how quickly you prepare documentation and supplier declarations.
Yes, most vegan certifications require yearly renewal to ensure ongoing compliance and to maintain the right to use labels.
Common hidden animal ingredients include beeswax, lanolin, carmine, collagen, keratin, glycerin, and stearic acid. We help you check your formulas so nothing is overlooked.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
