In a world where transparency is becoming essential, labels have become true guides for ethically conscious consumers. The term "vegan" is not just a trend: it embodies a deep commitment to respecting animal life, the environment, and a more responsible way of consuming.
At Meanwhile Boutique, we make it a point to collaborate with brands that share an ethical and committed vision of fashion. As part of this approach, vegan products play an essential role. But beyond our favorites and responsible selections, one question often arises: how can you be sure that a product is truly vegan?
This is where labels come into play. They offer clear and reliable guidelines, far from greenwashing and marketing claims, to help you consume consciously.
At Meanwhile Boutique, certification labels are an integral part of our eco-responsible selection charter. They allow us to offer pieces that make no compromise between style, ethics, and transparency. This is our way of ensuring that every product offered in our shop meets clear, concrete, and committed criteria.
Here is a guide to the most reliable vegan labels, to consume better and understand better.
Vegan labels: Why are they important?
A product marked "vegan" must contain no substances of animal origin and must not have been tested on animals, at any stage of its manufacture. In theory, this seems simple. In practice, it is much more complex. Production chains are often opaque, ingredients hidden under scientific names, and marketing communications sometimes misleading.
Recognized vegan labels help clear up these gray areas. They guarantee the total absence of materials of animal origin, whether visible or hidden, strict compliance with cruelty-free standards, as well as rigorous control, often verified by independent audits. A requirement that offers consumers a real and verifiable transparency.
Let's now see what the 6 main labels are that you can really rely on.
#1 - Vegan labels: Vegan Society, the historic reference
Created in 1944 in the United Kingdom, it was the Vegan Society association that first introduced the word “vegan” and enabled the development and democratization of veganism around the world.
The Vegan Trademark is an internationally recognized vegan product certification, created in 1990 by the Vegan Society. Since then, it has helped make vegan products more accessible to more people.
This label allows brands to communicate with confidence about their vegan commitments. Today, the Vegan Trademark appears on more than 70,000 certified products worldwide, ranging from cosmetics to food, as well as clothing, beverages, household products, and many more. It is one of the oldest and most respected worldwide.
What it guarantees:
- No ingredients or by-products of animal origin
- No animal testing
- Verified and controlled manufacturing processes.
Its international recognition and rigor make it a solid mark of trust, both for consumers and brands.
Our super eco-friendly & happy organic cotton T-shirt - Meanwhile Boutique
€39.00
Upcycled fanny pack made in France [ limited edition ] - Meanwhile Boutique
€55.00
#2 - Vegan labels: PETA Approved Vegan label
Created in the United States in 2002, the label PETA-Approved Vegan certifies that clothing, shoes, and accessories contain no ingredients of animal origin and that no animal testing has been carried out at any stage of their manufacture.
By choosing a PETA-Approved Vegan item, you have the guarantee that no animal was exploited or mistreated in its design.
This label is issued by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), a non-profit organization committed to the defense of animal rights. The award is initially based on a manufacturer's declaration, but PETA reserves the right to conduct checks to ensure compliance with ethical criteria.
At Meanwhile Boutique, many of the items offered are certified PETA vegan approved, such as the vegan sneakers from the brand COG.
Vegan sneakers for men White / Red Raven
€65.00
#3 - Vegan labels: Leaping Bunny, the cruelty-free guarantee for cosmetics
This international label was developed in the 90s by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) and remains a reference in terms of no animal testing.
It guarantees that no animal testing is carried out throughout the supply chain, and that there are regular checks to ensure compliance with the criteria.
However, you must remain vigilant: Leaping Bunny does not certify that the product is vegan, only that it is cruelty-free. It is therefore recommended to combine this label with a vegan certification for a complete ethical approach.
On our site, the organic pink banana radiance booster serum from the brand KADALYS contains no ingredients of animal origin and respects animal welfare, according to the Leaping Bunny standard. The serum is also made with 100% ingredients of natural origin: a real gem!
Radiance Booster Serum Pink Oil Organic with Pink Banana 30ml - MUSALIGHT
€59.90
#4 - Vegan labels: EVE Vegan, European expertise
It is the only French vegan label recognized internationally to date. Based in France, EVE Vegan (European Vegan Expertise) is a rigorous certification created to guarantee strict compliance with vegan standards on all types of products: cosmetics, textiles, food products, detergents, etc.
This label guarantees a composition with no ingredients of animal origin, even in derivative form, no animal testing, a traceability and annual checks to verify compliance.
This label is particularly interesting for European consumers wishing to favor a local and reliable certification, as well as for French or European brands wishing for a recognized label without depending on a foreign organization.
It provides a local and serious alternative to Anglo-Saxon labels (such as The Vegan Society or PETA), while often being coupled with other commitments (eco-design, ethical manufacturing).
#5 - Vegan labels: Vegan Approved (Vegan Action)
Established by the Vegan Awareness Foundation (also called Vegan Action) in the United States, the Vegan Approved label is gradually gaining notoriety in Europe.
It guarantees 100% vegan products and no animal testing.
Present on many product ranges, it is recognized for its simplicity and its transparency. It is notably used in the fashion, cosmetics and food sectors. To date, the Certified Vegan label appears on thousands of products, manufactured by more than 1000 companies around the world.
At Meanwhile Boutique, the backpacks in “apple leather” from the brand ARSAYO are certified EVE Vegan and are PETA Vegan Approved. Adaptable, durable, and 100% ethical bags!
Unisex vegan city backpack in cork in several colors - ARSAYO
€124.00
#6 - Vegan labels: Animal Free Fashion (LAV)
Established in 2015 by the Italian LAV association (Lega Anti Vivisezione), the Animal Free Fashion label is entirely dedicated to the world of fashion. It stands out for an evolving approach, designed to support brands in their transition towards 100% vegan practices.
The label is structured around four levels of commitment, identified by a rating system symbolized by one to four "V"s. Each level corresponds to the progressive exclusion of animal materials:
- Level V: exclusion of fur only.
- Level VV: exclusion of fur, feathers, and down.
- Level VVV: exclusion of fur, feathers, and leather.
- Level VVV+: total exclusion of all materials of animal origin: leather, wool, silk, mohair, angora, cashmere, feathers, etc.
It is an excellent indicator for consumers wishing to encourage virtuous initiatives, even when brands are not yet perfectly vegan.
Mentions to watch out for (or avoid)
Some uncertified mentions can be confusing. Here are a few examples to treat with caution:
“Not tested on animals”
Without a recognized logo, this mention has no regulatory value. It can be freely used by brands.
“Natural product” or “organic”
This does not mean that the product is vegan. Animal ingredients can be used in organic products (honey, beeswax, milk, etc.).
“Vegan friendly”
It is an unregulated marketing expression. Only a certified label can guarantee its meaning. To summarize, trust logos, not slogans.
Vegan and eco-responsible: two complementary concepts, but not always inseparable
Opting for vegan products is not only making an ethical choice towards animals, it is also an act in favor of the planet. Indeed, intensive farming is responsible for a large part of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and the consumption of fresh water.
However, being ethical does not necessarily mean being vegan, and vice versa. A product can be vegan without being eco-responsible, just as an ethical product may not be vegan.
By choosing certified vegan products and those from sustainable manufacturing, you contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, limiting soil and water pollution, and preserving natural resources. It is a concrete gesture for a more responsible consumption that respects the planet.
At Meanwhile Boutique, we are convinced that ethics can go hand in hand with aesthetics. That is why we select creators and brands that share this same vision of a more responsible future.
How to easily spot the right products?
Here are a few practical tips to adopt a more vigilant consumption:
- Check for official labels (logos, not just simple claims).
- Research the brand and its commitments.
- Choose short supply chains and small, transparent businesses.
-
Read detailed product information, especially for ready-to-wear clothing (glues, dyes, linings, etc.).
Conclusion: choosing is taking action
Vegan labels are not just logos. They are the result of rigorous work to provide clear and reliable guarantees to consumers. By knowing them, you become an active participant in your purchases. You support a more ethical economy, stand up for an ethical cause, and encourage brands to do better.
So, ready to shop consciously?
Discover Meanwhile Boutique's vegan collection now, a carefully curated selection of stylish, sustainable, and certified pieces.
Sources:
https://www.petafrance.com/actualites/la-certification-et-le-logo-peta-approved-vegan/
https://www.vegansociety.com/
https://www.vegansociety.com/the-vegan-trademark
https://www.leapingbunny.org/about/about-leaping-bunny
https://www.ecocert.com/fr-FR/qui-sommes-nous
https://vegan.org/certification/
