New NSF Vegan and Cruelty-Free Certification Supports Consumer Demand

NSF, a leading global public health and safety organization, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Vegan and Cruelty-Free Certification Program, NSF Protocol 543: Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products (NSF P543). The protocol sets rigorous requirements for the food and beverage, pet food, dietary supplements, personal care and cosmetics, and household product sectors, addressing the growing consumer demand for ethically produced and sustainable items.

“This certification represents a critical step forward in NSF’s mission to improve human and planet health,” said Carey Allen, Director of Product Claims at NSF. “In a market ripe with greenwashing, NSF has established a clear, verifiable protocol with a certification mark that empowers consumers to make informed, ethical choices aligned with their values.”

According to recent industry data, the vegan food market alone is projected to reach $37.5 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7% from 2023 to 2030. Meanwhile, a 2024 survey from NSF found that 67% of US consumers feel sustainability factors are important when making purchase decisions, and 83% read food labels before making a purchase decision.

The NSF Vegan and Cruelty-Free Certification, now available globally in three options – NSF Vegan, NSF Cruelty-Free, and NSF Vegan and Cruelty-Free, provides science-based assurance using comprehensive criteria that exceed current industry norms. Products seeking certification must meet stringent requirements, including:

Vegan requirements:

• Ingredients, processing aids and food contact packaging material may not be derived from animals or contain any amount of animal ingredients
• Animal testing is prohibited at any stage of product development
• Supply chain verification, with the NSF Vegan Compliance Plan and Standard Operating Procedures in place to address ingredient and processing aid approval, storage and handling, cleaning and sanitation, training, traceability and recall, and complaint handling
• Ongoing compliance monitoring with technical reviews

Cruelty-Free requirements:

• Ingredients, processing aids and certified products may not be tested on animals
• Supply chain verification, with the NSF Cruelty-Free Compliance Plan and Standard Operating Procedures in place to address traceability, recall and complaint handling
• Ongoing compliance monitoring with technical reviews

The new protocol is expected to positively influence both consumer behavior and manufacturing practices. For consumers, NSF’s Vegan and Cruelty-Free certifications provide certified ethical choices, creating transparency and confidence in product claims. For manufacturers, certification offers a competitive advantage in a rapidly growing market segment.

The certification addresses common industry challenges, including supply chain complexity, ingredient substitution efficacy and clear communication of product attributes. NSF’s established testing infrastructure and global recognition enable it to provide comprehensive verification that smaller certification bodies cannot match.