What the PETA label really confirms, how the certification process works – and why we choose it again every year
The Short Answer
PETA-Approved Vegan is an annually renewed certification awarded by the animal rights organisation PETA. It confirms that a company uses no animal-derived materials and conducts no animal testing – neither in its own products nor anywhere in its supply chain. It is not a one-time stamp of approval. It must be applied for, reviewed and confirmed every single year.
Plant Inside has held this certification since April 2023 — and has renewed it every year since.
"Vegan" appears on more and more products every day.
But what does it actually prove?
A label on a website is easy to add. A recognised certification, on the other hand, requires real work — documentation, transparency, and partners who must meet the same standards.
Since April 2023, Plant Inside has carried the PETA-Approved Vegan certification. We've renewed it twice since then. And in April 2026, the fourth renewal is coming up.
This article explains what the PETA certification actually means, how the process works — and why we keep making this decision year after year.
What Does PETA-Approved Vegan Mean?
The PETA-Approved Vegan certification is awarded by the animal rights organisation PETA to companies that verifiably use no animal-derived materials and avoid animal testing — neither in their own products nor anywhere in their supply chain.
To receive the certification, brands must:
- complete detailed questionnaires
- fully disclose their supply chains
- demonstrate that their suppliers also meet the requirements
The certification must be renewed annually. It is not a one-time proof — it is an annual commitment to transparency.
To understand more about what vegan materials actually involve, our guide to vegan leather covers all material types in detail.
What Does "Cruelty-Free" Mean — and What Doesn't It Mean?
The term "cruelty-free" is often used interchangeably with "vegan" today. But there is an important distinction.
Cruelty-free means:
- No animal testing during material development
- No animal-derived ingredients in materials or adhesives
- No grey areas in the supply chain
Cruelty-free does not automatically mean:
- Sustainable or environmentally friendly
- Fairly produced
- High quality or long-lasting
The PETA certification answers one specific question: Are all animal-derived components excluded? Yes — and for us, that is a non-negotiable starting point.
Why "vegan" and "sustainable" are not the same thing is something we explore in Vegan Fashion Is Not Automatically Sustainable.
What Sets PETA-Approved Vegan Apart from Other Labels?
This is where a common misunderstanding lies.
"Vegan", "cruelty-free" or "animal-friendly" are terms any brand can use without independent verification. They are unprotected, unaudited and unverified.
PETA-Approved Vegan is different:
- It is an external, independent certification — awarded by one of the most recognised animal rights organisations in the world
- It requires annual renewal — there is no lifetime certification
- It covers the entire supply chain — not just the finished product
- It is publicly verifiable — in the official PETA brand directory at petaapprovedvegan.peta.org
🌱 Did you know?
PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — is the world's largest animal rights organisation with over 9 million members and supporters worldwide. The PETA-Approved Vegan programme was created to give consumers reliable guidance when choosing animal-free products. Brands in the directory are reviewed annually — there is no lifetime certification. (Source: peta.org)
How the PETA Certification Process Works
The Beginning: January 2023
On 9 January 2023, we officially started our certification process with PETA.
Our goal was clear: we didn't want to simply claim ethical practices — we wanted to prove them. With a recognised certification. With transparency. With pride.
What PETA Actually Checks
The process was more demanding than we expected. It wasn't just us at Plant Inside who had to fill in forms, document processes and disclose supply chains. Our partners and suppliers had to meet the same high standards too.
PETA asked not only about what we use — but also how our partners source and process their components.
Wojciech, co-founder of Plant Inside, describes the process like this:
"During the certification, I had to make several calls to our suppliers to clarify details. It turned into a wonderful opportunity to really get to know the partners on the other side of the screen or phone — and to reconnect with some older relationships."
Some steps were time-consuming. But every completed questionnaire, every clarification and every email was worth it. Because it meant: we stand behind what we say.
The Result: April 2023
On 17 April 2023, it became official: Plant Inside is PETA-Approved Vegan certified.
The certification has been renewed annually since then — most recently in April 2025, with the fourth renewal due in April 2026.
Plant Inside is listed in the official PETA-Approved Vegan brand directory: petaapprovedvegan.peta.org
What the Certification Means for Our Products
The PETA certification covers the entire Plant Inside product range — bags, wallets, laptop cases and lunch bags.
All our products are made from Viridis® — a vegan leather derived from European corn and wheat, produced in Europe. The material additionally carries the Animal Free certification by LAV, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and FSC®.
Viridis® is complemented by Washpapa — a paper textile from Germany, fully vegan and surprisingly durable.
All products are handcrafted in small workshops in Poland — in Nowy Sącz, Elbląg and Malbork.
More about our materials and production approach in Why We Still Produce Our Bags in Europe.
Why We Choose This Every Year
For us, the PETA certification is not a one-time milestone — it is an annual decision.
A decision that means: we review our supply chains. We stay in contact with our partners. We document and disclose.
Cruelty-free is not a trend for us. It is a principle. It runs through everything we do — from the first sketch to the final stitch.
This approach shapes everything: the materials we choose, the partners we work with, the way we describe our products. It is part of who we are.
How to tell whether a brand genuinely acts on its values — or just communicates them well — is something we cover in How to Tell If a Brand Is Truly Sustainable;
FAQ
What does PETA-Approved Vegan mean?
PETA-Approved Vegan is a certification awarded by the animal rights organisation PETA. It confirms that a company uses no animal-derived materials and avoids animal testing — both in its own products and throughout its entire supply chain. The certification must be renewed annually.
What is the difference between PETA-Approved Vegan and cruelty-free?
Both terms relate to the exclusion of animal-derived components and animal testing. However, PETA-Approved Vegan is a verified, annually renewed certification — while "cruelty-free" is a term any brand can use without independent verification.
Does PETA certification mean a product is sustainable?
Not automatically. The PETA certification confirms the exclusion of animal-derived components — not the environmental footprint of a product. Plant Inside combines the PETA certification with additional measures including local production, plant-based materials and durable design.
How often does the PETA certification need to be renewed?
Annually. Plant Inside has renewed its certification every year since April 2023 — the fourth renewal is due in April 2026.
Which Plant Inside products are PETA-certified?
All Plant Inside products — bags, wallets, laptop cases and lunch bags — are covered by the PETA-Approved Vegan certification.
Where can I find Plant Inside in the PETA directory?
Plant Inside is listed in the official PETA-Approved Vegan brand directory at petaapprovedvegan.peta.org.
Can any brand claim to be PETA-certified?
No. The certification is publicly verifiable — in the official PETA brand directory. Any brand not listed there does not hold the certification.
Cruelty-Free Is Not a Label. It's a Commitment.
A certification proves more than a promise.
It means: we submitted to external scrutiny. We disclosed our supply chains. We demonstrated what we claim.
And we do it every year.
If you'd like to see which products are covered by the PETA certification, explore the Plant Inside vegan collection.
Updated: April 2026