Why this charity?
We complement existing vegan product labels by certifying plant‑only farming and by applying product‑certification rigour to vegan claims.
The gap we’re closing
Think “vegan” means no animals involved? Think again. On UK farms, the use of animal manures is widespread—and organic farms actually depend on them even more than conventional ones.
Vegan product marks typically check ingredients and processing aids. They rarely cover how crops were grown. In the UK, organic field crops are typically fed by a mix of legume leys and animal‑derived fertility—above all livestock manures; slaughter‑by‑product fertilizers (blood, bone, feather, fish) are permitted and used, especially in horticulture. That can come as a surprise to vegans and to brands making vegan claims.
We change that. By certifying plant-only farming with the same rigour as product labelling, we ensure your choices truly reflect your values.
How we’re different (and complementary)
- Plant‑only farming module — certifies field crops grown without animal manures or slaughter by‑products; fertility via rotations, green manures, plant composts and permitted minerals.
- Vegan product standard — no animal‑derived ingredients/processing aids; supply‑chain declarations; risk‑based testing.
- Charity governance — impartial decisions, cost‑recovery fees, and reinvestment in public‑benefit work.
At‑a‑glance comparison
| Check | Typical vegan product marks | Arden Al Certification Charity |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients & processing aids | ✔ | ✔ |
| Animal testing cut‑off policy | varies | ✔ fixed cut‑off option |
| Farming inputs for crop ingredients | ✖ (usually out of scope) | ✔ Plant‑only farming module |
| Audit style | Documentation-led; varies | ISO/IEC 17065‑style certification audits |
| Governance | Varies | UK charity; impartiality committee |
What UK organic rules allow
Great Britain’s organic law (retained EU Regulation 889/2008) lists products or by‑products of animal origin among permitted fertilizers, including “blood meal,” “bone meal,” “feather/hair,” and “fish meal”. Organic certifiers’ standards also describe manure application within a 170 kg N/ha limit.
References
- Regulation (EC) 889/2008 Annex I — Fertilisers & soil conditioners (GB retained law)
- Soil Association GB Farming & Growing Standards — Section 2.5 (permitted fertilisers) incl. manure application limits
- DEFRA/APHA guidance — Using fertilisers made from processed animal by‑products
- Stockfree Organic (UK) — plant‑based fertility approach
Care about plant‑only farming?
Join our Board and help scale credible, practical standards.
Apply to be a Trustee