The AVA Certification Process: From Application to Seal

What to expect when you apply for AVA Certification — from initial paperwork to receiving your logo files.

Step 1 — Apply

Complete the application. An AVA team member will email you to confirm your quote and provide instructions to submit payment and product information.

Step 2 — Review

We receive your payment, ingredient list, product label, and sample. AVA Certification review takes 5–7 business days after receiving all requirements.

Step 3 — Approval

We approve your product(s) with a Certificate and Certification Logo. We provide the option for renewal in one year.

About AVA certification

The American Vegetarian Association® has certified food and consumer products since 1996. Our five certifications — Vegetarian, Vegan, Plant-Based, Animal-Free, and Recommended — give shoppers a quick, reliable way to identify products that meet a clear, audited standard. Each certification has its own publicly documented ingredient and processing requirements. Brands choose the seal that matches their formulation and consumer story, and AVA reviews the product against the criteria for that seal.

AVA Certification review takes 5 to 7 business days after we receive payment, ingredient list, product label, and sample. Certifications are valid for one year and renewable. Any change in formulation, supplier, or processing must be reported so the product can be re-reviewed before the AVA Logo continues to appear on packaging. Reach out via the Contact page or begin an application on the Get Certified page.

Common timeline considerations

The 5 to 7 business day review window starts the moment AVA has everything needed: payment, ingredient list with sub-components, current packaging artwork, supplier statements where required, and a finished product sample. The most common cause of timeline slippage is supplier follow-up: a flavor blend or processing aid where animal-sourced status is unclear may require a fresh statement from the upstream supplier. Brands can shorten total elapsed time by gathering supplier letters in parallel with the application.