Bovine Collagen
Sustainable Collagen
Bovine Collagen Certification
Using bovine raw materials from verified farming sources. Maintaining identification, separation and traceability through processing, packing and distribution.
From bovine raw materials to finished collagen products. Assessment of sourcing, processing and traceability.
About the certification
Friend of the Earth Bovine Collagen Certification brings the source of bovine raw materials and the production of collagen into the assessment. It considers the evidence behind the ingredients, the processing activities and the products submitted for certification.
Define the products and sites you want assessed, whether you supply collagen ingredients or sell finished products. Certification applies to the approved scope, rather than every product in a company’s range.
What can be certified
Bovine collagen ingredients and products containing bovine collagen can be submitted for scope review. Proposed products may include bulk collagen, hydrolysed collagen peptides, retail powders, capsules, tablets and sachets. The team confirms eligibility and the assessment needed for each formulation and product format.
Do you also produce or sell marine collagen? Contact us to discuss certification, or explore
Friend of the Sea Marine Collagen Certification.
Who can apply: Collagen processors, ingredient suppliers, finished-product manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors and brands can submit an enquiry. Identify which activities your business performs and which are carried out by suppliers or contract manufacturers.
What the standard covers
The sections below summarise the main areas of the Collagen Standard (bovine and marine). The full standard sets out requirement classifications, evidence and corrective-action rules.
Energy mapping and a three-to-five-year efficiency plan; wastewater monitoring; water reuse; controlled chemical storage and disposal; and improvement in production-waste recovery. The standard sets a 75% process-water reuse criterion and a target to recover, reuse or recycle at least 95% of incoming raw materials within three years of the first audit.
Farms must hold Friend of the Earth certification or accepted equivalent certification. Evidence must establish that pastures were not created through forest conversion after 2020. Hides must originate from animals fit for human consumption, supported by veterinary certificates.
Minimum working age, prevention of forced labour and discrimination, minimum wages, healthcare access, chemical and physical safety training, protective equipment and accident records.
Separation from non-certified products, a finished-batch mass-balance test completed within four hours, and records retained beyond product shelf life.
Traceability from raw materials to finished products
Prepare a clear account of your supply chain: where the bovine material comes from, where it is processed and which finished products contain it. Include outsourced processing and packing in the information submitted for scope review.
For branded retail products, identify the exact product name, formulation, pack format and manufacturing site. Refer proposed supplier, formulation or site changes to the team before presenting additional products as certified.
Independent certification
An independent certification body assesses the evidence for the agreed scope and makes the certification decision. The assessment takes account of the activities performed by the applicant and the relevant supply-chain records.
A certified ingredient or supplier does not automatically give a finished product certification or a brand permission to use the label. Product scope and logo authorisation must be confirmed.
How certification works
1. Apply. Complete the Preliminary Information Form with your bovine collagen products, suppliers, sites and activities.
2. Confirm scope and costs. Confirm the products to be assessed, applicable requirements, documents needed and quotation.
3. Complete the independent audit. Provide the records and operational evidence needed for the certification body’s assessment.
4. Address findings. Complete the corrections and corrective actions required following the audit.
5. Receive the certification decision. The certification body reviews the findings and decides whether certification can be issued.
6. Maintain certification. Continue meeting the requirements and complete the applicable follow-up and renewal activities.
Use the Friend of the Earth label only with the applicable authorisation and only for the products covered by that authorisation.
Certification fees
Request the applicable Bovine Collagen price list and a quotation for your proposed scope. Ask the team to confirm the charges for assessment, certification and label use, including whether audit costs are included and which taxes apply.
Standards and supporting documents
Supporting documents
The team will confirm the applicable certification procedure and any additional documents for your proposed scope.
Check certification status
Check the named product, approved scope and certificate status before relying on a certification claim. A company listing should not be read as certification of its entire collagen range.
Frequently asked questions
Submit the product for scope review, including its formulation, ingredient suppliers, manufacturer and pack format. The team will confirm whether it can be included and what evidence is needed.
No. A supplier’s or ingredient’s certification does not automatically cover your finished formulation. Confirm the product scope and obtain the applicable label authorisation before making a certification claim.
Identify the products you want assessed in the application. Clearly distinguish them from products outside the proposed scope, including similar products sold under the same brand.
This page covers bovine collagen. If you also produce or sell marine collagen, contact us to discuss certification through Friend of the Sea. Follow the marine collagen link in the “What can be certified” section to learn more.
Include your contract manufacturer, ingredient suppliers and production sites in the enquiry. Explain who purchases the ingredients, manufactures the product and packs it for sale so the required assessment can be confirmed.
Do not use this certification as evidence that a product improves skin, joints or other health outcomes. Any health, nutrition or efficacy claim needs its own appropriate substantiation.
Prepare a product list, formulations, supplier details and a description of processing and packing activities. Include existing certificates and identify the sites and products you want assessed. The team will confirm the supporting documents needed.
After certification and the applicable logo-use authorisation have been confirmed for that product. Follow the label rules and check proposed artwork and wording through the required approval process.
Apply for certification
Tell us about your bovine collagen ingredients or finished products, where they are made and the suppliers involved. Our team can then confirm the proposed scope and the next steps.
Submitting preliminary information does not commit you to proceeding with an audit.
