What This Mark Means
The Certified Artisanal mark is issued by an independent certification body. It indicates that a product range has been assessed against defined criteria and found to meet the standard at the time of review. It is not a decorative label, a brand badge, or a self-created claim.
What This Page Establishes
- Explains what the Certified Artisanal mark means when seen on a product.
- Provides a clear pathway to verify any certification claim.
- Describes what the certification does and does not guarantee.
- Clarifies how to report products with unverifiable claims.
Why This Certification Exists
The word “artisanal” is used across food products without any consistent definition or independent verification. A mass-produced item and a genuinely small-batch, handcrafted product may both carry the same claim on their label.
There is no regulatory framework that defines what “artisanal” means. Producers can use the term without meeting any criteria or undergoing any review.
Certified Artisanal exists to provide a clear, independently verified answer to the question: does this product actually meet a defined standard for artisanal production?
What We Review
Each certified product range is assessed against three defined standards categories. Certification may be granted based on conformity with one, two, or all three pillars.
Small Batch
The product is made in discrete, individually identifiable batches -- not on a continuous production line. Each batch is traceable with documented records.
Heritage Method
The production method is rooted in an established tradition or historical technique. It is not a method invented solely for marketing purposes.
Crafted
A skilled person makes decisions during production that directly affect the finished product. This is not cosmetic involvement -- it is material intervention at a critical stage.
What Certification Does and Does Not Mean
The production process was independently reviewed
That the product is objectively "better" than others
Defined criteria for batch size, heritage, and craft were met
That it is organic, local, or free of specific ingredients
Certification status is publicly verifiable
That the company or brand as a whole is certified
Ongoing compliance is monitored through audits
That certification is permanent or unconditional
Common Questions
No. Certified Artisanal is an independent, private certification administered by Artisanal Foundation. It is not a government-issued label. It operates as a voluntary standard that producers choose to apply for and that retailers may choose to require.
No. The mark certifies that the production process meets defined criteria for small-batch structure, heritage method, and material human intervention. It does not certify flavour, personal preference, or subjective quality assessments.
No. Certification requires independent assessment by the Foundation. Producers cannot self-certify or self-apply the mark. The mark is issued only after documented evidence has been reviewed and verified.
Use the public registry on this website. Search by producer name, product range, or certification ID. The registry shows real-time status: Active, Suspended, Expired, or Archived. If a product claims Certified Artisanal status but does not appear in the registry with Active status, the claim cannot be verified.
Certification can be revoked. The Foundation conducts periodic and random audits. If non-compliance is identified, the producer is notified and given an opportunity to respond. If the issue is not resolved, certification is revoked and the registry is updated publicly.