Sattvik Certifications

	Sattvik Certifications
Founded	2011, India
Founder	Abhishek Biswas
Headquarters	Singapore
Type	Standard Development Organization (SDO)
Purpose	Certification assurance for vegetarian, vegan, Jain, and Buddhist food & lifestyle compliance
Region served	Global (India, Singapore, UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa, Thailand)
Key People	Abhishek Biswas (Envisioner & Founder)
Certification Types	Sattvik Vegetarian; Sattvik Vegan; Sattvik Jain; Sattvik Sattvam (for holy places); Sattvik Buddhist;
Official Website	SattvikCertifications.com

Sattvik Certification is a global accreditation system that verifies compliance with vegetarian, vegan, Jain, and Buddhist dietary and lifestyle standards. It ensures adherence to principles derived from Indian Vedic traditions and modern food safety regulations. The certification promotes purity, food safety, ethical consumption, and sustainability across various industries, including food production, hospitality, textiles, and cosmetics standards approved by various organizations like Bureau Veritas, DNV, UL Solutions.

Overview

Sattvik Certification was established in 2011 by Abhishek Biswas with the aim of standardizing vegetarian and vegan food practices through rigorous audits and transparent supply chain policies. The term Sattvik originates from Sanskrit, meaning “pure essence and balance” emphasizing dietary and lifestyle choices that enhance physical well-being, mental clarity, and environmental sustainability. The Sattvik logo ensures consumers that products meet Vegetarian dietary & production SOPs, providing confidence in the product’s compliance with Vegetarian / Vegan / Jain / Sattvam / Buddhist requirements. It also signifies cleanliness, safety and ethical standards.

The certification is supported by the Sattvik Council of India (SCI) and its international divisions, Sattvik Certifications Singapore (SCSG). It has a global presence, operating in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the UAE, Africa, and Indonesia.

Key Principles

Sattvik Certification follows strict guidelines to ensure compliance with its standards, including:

Prohibition of animal-derived ingredients, including meat, eggs, alcohol, fish and prohibited E- codes.

Strict avoidance of cross-contamination with non-vegetarian products.

Adherence to ethical sourcing, hygiene, and sustainability across certified industries.

Types of Certificates

Sattvik Certification offers multiple certification categories tailored to different dietary practices and religious beliefs:

Sattvik Vegetarian – Ensuring products are 100% vegetarian.
Sattvik Vegan – Certifying products as entirely plant-based.^[1]
Sattvik Jain – Compliant with Jain dietary principles, including prohibition of root vegetables, timing and E-codes.
Sattvik Sattvam – Focused on Vedic purity standards.
Sattvik Buddhist – Aligning with Buddhist ethical food principles for buddhist friendly products.^[2]

History

The certification was developed in response to the growing demand for trusted vegetarian and vegan labels in global markets. Few of the key milestones was in 2021, World’s 1st 100% vegetarian train^[3] - Shri Ramayanyatra^[4], in 2021, Vande Bharat Delhi - Katra was certified 100% vegetarian, in 2022, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) partnered with Sattvik to certify over 6,000 to 7,000 vegetarian meals daily on Indian trains, further establishing its influence in public sector catering, in 2024 when Novotel Jodhpur became the world’s first Sattvik-certified hotel Expanding beyond food, Sattvik introduced the Sattvik Sustainable Green Building Certification, integrating environmental sustainability into infrastructure projects.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Standards and Scope

Sattvik Certifications is based on a combination of Indian Vedic texts and modern food safety regulations. The standards apply to the following sectors:

Food Production – Ensuring no use of animal byproducts, alcohol, or unethical additives.^[8]

Hospitality – Certifying kitchens, hotels, and catering services to uphold vegetarian or vegan integrity.

Lifestyle Products – Covering textiles, cosmetics, and ritual offerings that align with Buddhist or Jain principles.

Green Buildings – Promoting energy efficiency, waste reduction, and eco-friendly architectural design.

Specialized guidelines, such as the Sattvik Buddhist Manual, provide structured recommendations for Buddhist dietary practices, ethical sourcing, and sustainable supply chains for Buddhist friendly products.

Certification Process

The certification process involves multiple steps:

Application Submission – Companies apply online by providing details of their products, ingredients, and manufacturing processes.
Approval/Rejection – After verification, the application is either approved or rejected.^[9]
Agreement & Licensing – If approved, an agreement is signed, and the company pays an annual licensing fee.
Review & Documentation – Sattvik auditors assess product compliance, requiring additional documentation if necessary.
Certification Mark Issuance – A digital certification mark is provided for use on product packaging.^[10]
Annual Renewal – Companies must renew their certification every 12 months, ensuring continued compliance.

Failure to maintain compliance may result in termination of certification rights.

Fees and Costs

Sattvik Certification charges different fees based on the services provided. These include:

Annual licensing fees
Inspection and audit fees^[11]
One-time setup fees^[12]
Additional fees for special audit runs

Companies may also need to modify their machinery or production processes to meet compliance standards, leading to extra costs.

Sattvik Manuals

To maintain industry-wide adherence to its certification standards, Sattvik offers operational manuals for various sectors, including:

Sattvik Quality Manual
Vegetarian Kitchen Management Manual^[13]
Vegetarian Hospitality Management Manual
Vegetarian-Friendly Railway Services^[14]
Vegetarian Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Sattvik Textile Management Manual
Sattvik Cosmetology Manual
Buddhist Codex

Benefits of Certification

Businesses that obtain Sattvik Certification gain several advantages:

Consumer Trust – Assurance of 100% vegetarian/vegan integrity.^[15]
Market Access – Recognition in Vegetarian/vegan conscious markets.^[16]
Cost Efficiency – Standardized protocols reduce product recalls and waste.
Sustainability – Certification encourages eco-friendly business practices and carbon footprint and supports greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Global Presence

Sattvik Certifications collaborates with governments and non - government organizations worldwide:

Singapore – Singapore WSQ Green Building Certifications.
India – Partners with IRCTC, Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Bhopal and Bhubneswar, Federation of Hotel & Restaurants Association of India (FHARI), and Shri Vishwakarma Skill University for workforce training. Art of Living, DY Patil University, BIRD group, Seth Ananadram Jaipuria Education Society etc.
Indonesia – Association of the Indonesian Tour & Travel agencies (ASITA) for certifying vegan products and restaurants.
South Africa - PAN African Chamber of Commerce, FEDHASA -Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa^[17]
UAE - BAPS Abu Dhabi^[18]^[19]^[20]

Notable Initiatives

IRCTC Collaboration

Sattvik Certification has played a crucial role in improving vegetarian food safety in Indian Railways:

PL-CAM – Real-time audits of railway kitchens.
FQC-SAT – 24/7 surveillance of food quality in Northern Railway base kitchens.

Educational Programs

Sattvik has launched training programs to educate businesses and professionals about vegetarian and vegan management practices:

Sattvik Lead Auditor Program (LAP) – A professional course on food safety, HACCP principles, and Sattvik compliance audits.
Sattvik Consciousness Program (SAT-CON) – A nutrition-focused course promoting healthier dietary habits.
Sattvik Quality Management Certificate - Professional course provided by Shri VishwaKarma Skill University^[21]^[22]

Ethical Product Certification

Sattvik Buddhist Mark – Sattvik Certifications is the only Standard which aligns with Buddhists. Certifying products that align with Buddhism.^[23]

Ideology and Values

Sattvik Certification is guided by the following principles:

Customer Value – Transparency and trust in vegetarian/vegan labeling.
Societal Value – Encouraging environmental sustainability and public health.

Knowledge Transfer – Collaborating with global organizations to advance vegetarianism as a tool for social and ecological well-being.
Mark of trust - Sattvik Logo symbolizes 100% assurance of vegetarian and vegan production and ethical practices.^[24]

External links

Official Website

International Media

References

[1] ttps://www.bureauveritas.co.in/newsroom/sattvik-worlds-first-certification-vegetarian-food-launched-bureau-veritas-india

[2] ttps://www.issuewire.com/sattvik-certifications-singapore-certifies-all-about-vege-1770150591979822

[3] ttps://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/trains-travelling-to-religious-sites-to-receive-sattvik-certification-reports-101636856113386.html

[4] ttps://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-irctc-shri-ramayan-yatra-becomes-first-train-to-get-vegetarian-certification-details-here-2379445/

[5] ttps://www.aninews.in/news/business/sattvik-certifications-unveils-innovative-green-building-certification-with-novotel-jodhpur-as-the-pioneering-recipient-for-its-100-per-cent-vegetarian-status20240615131331/

[6] ttps://www.aninews.in/news/business/sattvik-certifications-unveils-innovative-green-building-certification-with-novotel-jodhpur-as-the-pioneering-recipient-for-its-100-per-cent-vegetarian-status20240615131331/

[7] ttps://hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/operations/food-and-beverages/worlds-first-certification-for-vegetarian-food-launched/86314369

[8] ttps://www.indiaretailing.com/2024/01/14/worlds-first-veg-vegan-food-auditing-firm-sattvik-certifications-builds-trust-in-consumers/

[9] ttps://thepatriot.in/profile/making-food-sattvik-compliant-43526

[10] ttps://www.aninews.in/news/business/sattvik-certifications-unveils-innovative-green-building-certification-with-novotel-jodhpur-as-the-pioneering-recipient-for-its-100-per-cent-vegetarian-status20240615131331/

[11] ttps://trunicle.com/big-jolt-to-halal-certification-sattvik-certification-goes-global-launches-veg-and-vegan-food-code-in-singapore/

[12] ttps://www.medindia.net/news/sattvik-worlds-first-certification-for-vegetarian-food-launched-203383-1.htm

[13] ttps://www.telegraphindia.com/business/sattvik-certification-goes-global-launches-vegetarian-vegan-food-code-in-singapore/cid/1961576

[14] ttps://vegconomist.com/company-news/sattvik-council-of-india-vegetarian-vegan-certification-singapore/

[15] ttps://thecommunemag.com/hindus-now-have-option-to-buy-worlds-first-sattvik-council-certification-for-vegetarian-food-safety/

[16] ttps://hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/operations/food-and-beverages/india-and-the-indian-vegetarian-and-vegan-diaspora-is-a-strong-market/106917130

[17] ttps://fedhasa.co.za/

[18] ttps://www.mandir.ae/

[19] ttps://www.medindia.net/news/sattvik-worlds-first-certification-for-vegetarian-food-launched-203383-1.htm

[20] ttps://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/veg-vegan-food-auditing-firm-sattvik-certifications-set-to-expand-its-footprint-abroad-further/article67674305.ece

[21] ttps://svsu.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Counselling-Schedule-for-Sattvik-Quality-Management-Certificate-on-13.04.2022.pdf

[22] ttps://www.indiaretailing.com/2024/01/14/worlds-first-veg-vegan-food-auditing-firm-sattvik-certifications-builds-trust-in-consumers/

[23] ttps://www.foodtechbiz.com/food-safety-and-traceability/sattvik-a-new-certification-for-vegetarian-and-vegan-foods

[24] ttps://www.issuewire.com/flagging-off-worlds-first-vegetarian-and-vegan-certifications-in-singapore-1760692690306476

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Sattvik Certifications

Founded	2011, India
Founder	Abhishek Biswas
Headquarters	Singapore
Type	Standard Development Organization (SDO)
Purpose	Certification assurance for vegetarian, vegan, Jain, and Buddhist food & lifestyle compliance
Region served	Global (India, Singapore, UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa, Thailand)
Key People	Abhishek Biswas (Envisioner & Founder)
Certification Types	Sattvik Vegetarian Sattvik Vegan Sattvik Jain Sattvik Sattvam (for holy places) Sattvik Buddhist
Official Website	SattvikCertifications.com