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Vriendly Vegan Label - International Guidelines.
Production facilities for direct sales such as restaurants, cafés, etc.
Exclusion of Ingredients and Substances.
Vriendly Vegan Label - International Guidelines
The market share of vegan products is steadily increasing. Many companies are already involved in making the world a little more vegan and green. We would like to bring together these companies and consumers who do without animal products and food. For a common, friendlier world, for animals and for people.
Consumers trust labels. They guarantee you transparency and safety in the additive jungle.
The Vriendly Vegan label is the universally applicable label worldwide for labeling vegan foods, services and products. Animal ingredients are used in all of these areas, which is not always obvious to consumers. A Vriendly Vegan certification removes all doubts. Products, services and foods that carry the vegan label receive an individual certification ID and an entry in our online database. This is how we guarantee 100% transparency and security.
Definition vegan
At its meeting on April 22, 2016, the consumer protection ministers of the federal states approved a definition of the terms "vegan" and "vegetarian".
Definitions vegan:
(1) Vegan are foods that are not products of animal origin and for which no
– Ingredients (including additives, excipients, flavorings and enzymes) or
– processing aids or
– non-food additives used in the same way and for the same purpose as processing aids,
which are of animal origin, have been added or used in processed or unprocessed form.
Microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts and fungi) are of non-animal origin and may also be used in foods that are advertised as "vegan".
Our guidelines can be derived from this definition. They serve as the evaluation basis for the Vriendly Vegan label. If you would like us to certify your product or your company, you undertake to take these guidelines into account and implement them. In this way, we guarantee the highest possible level of safety and quality for consumers and companies.
certifications
Vriendly eV carries out vegan certifications in different areas:
- Direct sales/catering/bulk shops/retail
- Products
- leisure and hotels
- Services such as hairdressers and tattoo parlors
If your desired area or product is not listed, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is happy to answer any questions and provide support.
Product certification
Product certification can be requested at any time using the online application form. In the Vriendly process, the applicant provides the data of the product to be certified. The ingredients, ingredients, as well as auxiliary and carrier substances are examined for components of animal origin. In the case of ambiguous ingredients or materials, the applicant undertakes to demonstrate that the ingredients or materials are of plant origin.
If the company also sells non-vegan products in addition to vegan products, it must ensure that possible cross-contamination with animal ingredients or ingredients is avoided.
Consumers can check the authenticity and validity of the product certification at any time using the product ID.
A Vriendly Vegan certification remains valid as long as no changes are made to the product. In the event of changes in the ingredients or in production, recertification is carried out at the expense of the applicant.
Production facilities for direct sales such as restaurants, cafés, etc.
After successful certification, direct sales receive a certification document with an individual certification ID. This makes it easy to check the authenticity and validity of the label online. In addition, the applicant will receive Vriendly Vegan stickers. These are clearly visible at the entrance to the shop so that consumers can immediately see that vegan food and drinks are on offer.
In the case of non-vegan gastronomy, the applicant also receives small V stickers. These identify the vegan dishes and drinks and thus clearly stand out from the other dishes. We are happy to support you with the switch to vegan or with uncertainties and questions.
If food and ingredients of animal origin are also used in the company, stricter hygiene rules apply. It is important to avoid possible cross-contamination during production. The preparation and processing of vegan food and dishes must be strictly separated from other processes. Containers and aids must be cleaned before each use where they come into contact with vegan food and drinks.
Vriendly reserves the right to conduct randomized controls. There is a tolerance limit for food of animal origin of less than 0.1%. If traces are found in larger quantities, this is equivalent to a breach of contract and will be punished.
bulk stores
After successful certification, the bulk shop receives a certification document with an individual certification ID. This makes it easy to check the authenticity and validity of the label online. In addition, the applicant will receive Vriendly Vegan stickers. These are clearly visible at the entrance to the store so that consumers can immediately see that vegan food, products and drinks are on offer.
In the case of non-vegan bulk stores, the applicant also receives small V stickers. These mark the vegan food, products and drinks and stand out clearly. We are happy to support you with the switch to vegan or with uncertainties and questions.
If food and products of animal origin are also used in the company, stricter hygiene rules apply. It is important to avoid possible cross-contamination. Containers and tools must be cleaned before each use where they come into contact with vegan food and products.
Vriendly reserves the right to conduct randomized controls. There is a tolerance limit for food of animal origin of less than 0.1%. If traces are found in larger quantities, this is equivalent to a breach of contract and has consequences for the applicant.
hotel industry
After successful certification, the hotel receives a certification document with an individual certification ID. This makes it easy to check the authenticity and validity of the label online. In addition, the applicant will receive Vriendly Vegan stickers. These are clearly visible at the entrance to the establishment so that consumers can immediately see that there is a vegan offer.
The guidelines for production facilities for direct sales apply to the catering sector.
If the company is not purely vegan, the applicant also receives small V stickers. These mark the vegan offer and stand out so clearly. We are happy to support you with the switch to vegan or with uncertainties and questions.
Exclusion of Ingredients and Substances
The definition "vegan" excludes all ingredients, ingredients and aids that are of animal origin. This applies, among other things, to the clarification of juices, wine and beer through the use of auxiliary substances such as gelatine, fish bladders or casein. In the event of uncertainties about individual ingredients and auxiliary materials, we are always available to provide support. You can find an overview of all critical and prohibited e-substances here (link). In the case of E-substances, which can be of plant or animal origin, Vriendly requires corresponding proof.
When using culture media, fungi, protozoa and algae or similar, the applicant must also adhere to the excluded substances, additives and auxiliary substances. Culture media, fungi, protozoa and algae of animal origin represent a violation of the Vriendly Vegan guidelines and are not permitted in any production step.
The Vriendly Vegan label excludes genetically modified organisms. According to the currently valid EC Regulation 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, contamination with ingredients of animal origin of less than 0.9% is tolerated. This is against our policy.
Vriendly does not condone animal testing. There has been a comprehensive animal testing ban for cosmetics in the EU since 2013.
Animal testing is prohibited at any stage of production. The production steps include all ingredients, aids, processing steps, tests and trials, as well as any advertising measures. Experiments in the context of feed samples or the like are permitted. Feel free to contact us in such situations.
controls
The Vriendly Vegan label wants to offer consumers and companies security. Therefore there is a multi-level system with different control bodies. The Vriendly Vegan Label offers particularly complex controls at low costs.
The first review takes place after applying for the Vriendly Vegan label. To do this, the applicant enters the product data online. All data is checked by internal specialists. If the ingredients are not clear, the applicants will be contacted directly, if the application meets the requirements, the process will be continued.
Vriendly eV reserves the right to request randomized product samples for a regular check or in the case of specific suspected cases. The applicant bears the costs for samples and shipping. Any laboratory costs incurred will be borne by Vriendly.
Vriendly also reserves the right to covertly purchase products from retailers and to check them for possible contamination of the ingredients and recipe without prior notice.
Vriendly carries out regular announced and unannounced on-site inspections of the certified companies, mostly unannounced in catering establishments.
violations
If there is a suspicion of a violation of the vegan guidelines, Vriendly reserves the right to take measures to check this. If tests are ordered, Vriendly bears the costs. In the event of intentional misuse of the Vriendly Vegan guidelines, the applicant bears the costs and must expect the vegan label to be withdrawn immediately.
We would like to point out that vegan also stands for "plant-based" and thus excludes many allergens. Violations of our guidelines and the improper processing of food with ingredients of animal origin can, in addition to unethical behavior, also have serious health consequences in the form of allergic reactions.
If accidental contamination with animal ingredients has occurred, contact Vriendly. In the event of contamination and defects in the product, Vriendly supports recall campaigns and further action.
For consumers
Vriendly stands for transparency. Using the individual certification ID, every consumer can check the authenticity and validity of the certification online. In addition to information about the product or about the service, concerns about policy violations can be reported directly to Vriendly.