BeVeg International’s Impartiality Statement
As leaders in our industry for vegan certification, we hold ourselves to the highest standard of professional integrity. The BeVeg Code of Integrity defines the main principles of professional integrity for the BeVeg brand and is an expression of the values that are shared throughout our organization, our businesses and our affiliates.
We are committed to impartiality and integrity for vegan truth in labeling laws. We are dedicated to a culture where issues of integrity and professional ethics can be raised and discussed openly. Guidance and support is available to help employees and other stakeholders acting on behalf of, or representing, our organization to understand the Code and to help them make the right decision when faced with an ethical dilemma.
BeVeg has in place an impartiality committee and system for reporting grievances as it is our utmost priority to keep our vegan compliance program, as accredited under international ISO standards, to the highest standards of integrity are professionalism as applied to all our global vegan certifications, in accordance with international best practice.
All BeVeg staff must complete training each year to ensure compliance with the utmost of industry standards, impartiality mechanisms are in place, and proper risk assessment measures in place.
The Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for implementing procedures governing the ethical behavior of our employees, auditors, and consultants, and for conducting investigations on alleged staff misconduct. The CCO also sets the standards of integrity expected of our business partners. Reports on suspected violations of the Code can be submitted, or advice obtained, by calling by filing a written report online or sending it by fax or mail.
The Impartiality Committee and Compliance Committee has ultimate oversight over compliance matters regarding BeVeg business ethics. It also approves policies regarding anti-bribery and corruption and the use of certain suppliers that are deemed as presenting a high level of risk of bias compromising the vegan integrity and validity of vegan certified claims.
Committee members are identified on our website under “Our Team”. The CCO reports to the committees on all compliance related matters. The CEO is in attendance of all meetings of the committees, and other executives or staff may be required and will be called to attendance when necessary.