HORTIMED Achieves EVE VEGAN® Certification
Another significant milestone for the company, HORTIMED, a leading producer of peat and innovative freshwater lake mud (sapropel) products, has been awarded the EVE VEGAN® certification, the certification process for which was provided by BM Certification. This highly respected certification ensures that HORTIMED’s freshwater lake mud products are free from raw materials of animal origin, reinforcing the company’s commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
“One of HORTIMED’s main focus areas is to develop the professional production of these innovative freshwater lake mud products. It was therefore very important for us that our HORTIMED plant in Ogre (Latvia) obtained this prestigious EVE VEGAN® certification,” explains HORTMED Board Member Roberts Leitāns.
HORTIMED is renowned globally for its high-quality peat products, catering to professionals across various industries. Currently exporting to more than 50 countries worldwide. The company’s product range also includes soil conditioners based on freshwater lake mud (sapropel) and liquid soil improvers. Driven by a passion for innovation, HORTIMED continuously develops new and original products that meet the evolving needs of their customers. In the coming months, it also is going to offer specially developed soil enrichment products for every hobby gardener in the Baltics and Latvia.
In Europe, several vegan certification marks are available, but due to inadequate regulation, not all can be relied upon. The credibility of a vegan claim on a product often depends on rigorous factory inspections and audits of raw materials. One of the most trustworthy certifications is the EVE VEGAN® mark.
Expertise Vegan Europe (EVE), operating under the EVE VEGAN® certification brand, is an independent organization founded in France in 2016. EVE specializes in the certification of vegan products and services on a global scale. The EVE VEGAN® mark provides assurance to consumers and retailers that certified products are not derived from animals and are not tested on animals.
The rigorous EVE VEGAN® certification process involves several steps:
- Scientific Document Review: This initial phase involves a meticulous evaluation of raw materials, recipes, and supplier confirmations to ensure compliance with vegan standards.
- On-Site Verification: An on-site inspection is conducted, including a comprehensive facility tour, to verify that actual operations align with the submitted documentation.
- Recommendation of the auditor for granting certification or in case of non-conformities rejection.
- Final Decision: EVE VEGAN® reviews the auditor’s recommendation and decides whether to grant the certification or request additional investigation or evidence.
The EVE VEGAN® certification mark is more than just a label; it represents a commitment to ethical and transparent production practices. It applies to a wide range of products, both food and non-food, including cosmetics, hygiene products, textiles, fashion accessories, services, restaurants, catering, food supplements, and medicines.
The EVE VEGAN® certification programme covers a wide range of products and services, however, HORTIMED, with its unique peat and innovative freshwater lake mud (sapropel) products, is the first in the industry to achieve EVE VEGAN® certification.
By achieving this certification, HORTIMED not only meets the high standard set by EVE VEGAN® but also provides consumers with confidence and transparency. In an era where ethical consumerism is on the rise, the EVE VEGAN® mark allows consumers to make informed choices aligned with their values and beliefs. “We are very pleased with this high evaluation and are ready to offer our customers a certified and quality product.” emphasises R. Leitans.
BM Certification congratulates HORTIMED on this significant achievement and wishes it continued success in its journey towards sustainability and innovation. We are pleased to support HORTIMED in setting new industry standards and look forward to their future achievements.