On September 26, 2025, VegeProject Japan (NPO) and the Korea Agency of Vegan Certification and Services (KVCS) signed a mutual recognition for each other’s vegan certifications.
Through this initiative, companies that have obtained VegeProject Japan’s vegan certification can now also acquire the most widely used vegan certification in Korea more easily and without incurring the regular annual fees typically required for KVCS certification.
*For details, please refer to the “Details of the Mutual Recognition” section.
About the Korea Vegan Certification and Services (KVCS) and VegeProject Japan
■Korea Vegan Certification and Services (KVCS)
KVCS, established in 2018 as the first vegan certification body in Korea, surpassed 10,000 certified products in 2024 and currently issues the most widely used vegan certification mark in the country.
In addition to certification, KVCS works with domestic research institutions, business associations, and government agencies to expand Korea’s vegan market. It also participates in international conferences such as the AVA Summit and AFAD, building stronger connections with global organizations.
■VegeProject Japan (our organization)
We are a nonprofit that collaborates with companies, government bodies, universities, and international organizations to expand vegan and plant-based options in Japan.
As part of our efforts, we provide vegan certification. Our vegan mark is widely adopted by both major manufacturers such as Kagome Co., Ltd., Heinz Japan Ltd., and Kikkoman Corporation, as well as many small and medium-sized enterprises. Today, we offer the most widely used vegan mark in Japan.
In addition to certification, we engage in projects by the national as well as local governments (see details here), support the introduction of vegan menus at universities and restaurants, and promote local vegan-friendly eateries via print and online maps. We are also regularly invited to international summits, with an extensive record of speaking engagements in Germany, the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, among other regions.
Signing Ceremony and Talk Event at Tokyo Big Sight
From September 26 to 28, 2025, the international vegan event ASIAN VEGAN CONNECT 2025 was held at Tokyo Big Sight. On the evening of the opening day, the ASIAN VEGAN AWARDS (formerly JAPAN VEGAN AWARDS) took place.
Last year, our representative received the Grand Prix at this award. This year, both our representative and the KVCS representative were nominated. At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, the mutual recognition agreement was announced. The representatives of both organizations went on stage for the signing ceremony.
On the following day, September 27, a talk event was held featuring the representatives of both organizations. The discussion covered the expansion of the vegan market in Japan and Korea, successful case studies, and consumer trends, as well as Japanese products gaining attention in Korea and future prospects in light of the mutual recognition agreement.
Those who attended the talk event received plant-based eggs from JA.Z-Tamago Co., Ltd., which have obtained our vegan certification.
Details of the Mutual Recognition
Based on this agreement, companies certified by VegeProject Japan can now obtain KVCS certification through a simplified procedure without incurring the regular annual fees typically required for KVCS certification. As long as their VegeProject Japan certification remains valid, they can also continue to use the KVCS vegan mark.
Note: Some product categories require a test before receiving mutual equivalence. The cost per product of this test ranges from 18,000 to 90,000 KRW (approx. 1,900 to 9,500 JPY).
Similarly, companies certified by KVCS are now eligible for the same preferential treatment when applying through VegeProject Japan.
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding VegeProject Japan’s vegan certification or the export of vegan products to Korea, please contact us at:
VegeProject Japan – Certification Division
📧 certification@vegeproject.org
