Our goal in this article is to demystify all the details and reasoning behind the certification and explain how a farm or ranch or processor becomes Certified Humane® and can remain on the program through annual audits year after year.
First, you should understand the values and principles that guide the Certified Humane® program. You can read them in full in this article.
Here are the highlights:
- Our vision is for all farm animals worldwide to live in a comfortable, healthy environment that suits their natural instincts and behaviors.
- The animal welfare scientists and veterinarians on our volunteer Scientific Committee contribute to keep our Farm Animal Standards up to date with the most current peer-reviewed research.
- Our Farm Animal Standards are tailored to each species but follow the same Key Care Principles, including compassionate handling. The standards are available in full on our website to any consumer who wishes to review them.
- To make meaningful progress in improving the lives of farm animals, we must grapple with daunting realities of our global dependance on animals for food. We encourage you to learn those realities here.
We also want to state that animal welfare scientists and veterinarians act as independent inspectors to perform in-depth audits for species they specialize in. We have always contracted with third-party animal welfare specialists to ensure the most accurate and non-biased reporting.
With all those principles in mind, let’s dive into the process of becoming Certified Humane®!
Step 1: A farm or ranch asks to become certified
While this first step may seem obvious, it’s important to point out that the Certified Humane® is a voluntary program run by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Humane Farm Animal Care.
We are not a government organization nor affiliated with any regulatory body or industry organization. We do not enforce animal welfare policies for people who aren’t on our program. Our standards require that trained handlers understand the needs of farm animals and how to apply those needs to their daily routine. That requires a long-term commitment to sustainable practices, not a quick fix.
Farmers and ranchers ask us to certify their operations because they recognize that shoppers trust the Certified Humane® logo. More and more shoppers are willing to pay extra in the grocery aisle if it means that they are supporting the responsible care of farm animals.
Our program is effective because it’s driven by consumer demand and by the compassion of farmers, ranchers and producers who want to do better.
Many operations who seek certification with us are already following at least some responsible care practices. They seek us out because our transparent standards allow them to showcase the ways they are doing right by the animals in their care.
Step 2: The applicant submits an application
When a new applicant submits an inquiry online, we respond immediately to begin their certification process.
Our preliminary conversations clarify the applicant’s business model and so we can determine which standards apply to them. We also answer any questions they have about their anticipated eligibility, fees, the audit process, the forms they need to submit, and the approximate timeline to final certification.
Applications usually include species-specific forms, one for each kind of animal the farm cares for at each site.
They also include one for each facility in the entire supply chain, including any slaughtering and processing locations. The process includes traceability audits at any facilities that create the retail packaging, ensuring all products with our logo actually came from a Certified Humane® farm.
In order to become certified, care during every part of a farm animal’s life MUST meet our Farm Animal Standards.
Step 3: We review submitted forms
Before we go onsite to a farm, ranch or processing operation, our Compliance Team reviews the application and relevant form(s) to see if any obvious corrections need to be made.
Step 4: An independent inspector conduct audit(s) of the entire operation
When the applicant passes the initial review, we’ll assign independent third-party inspectors to audit each farm, ranch or facility. The inspector will contact the applicant to schedule the needed audit(s) at a mutually convenient time.
Who are the inspectors?
The independent inspectors are highly qualified animal scientists or experts in the food industry. Many are veterinarians or have a Ph.D. in their field. They have hands-on farm experience with types(s) of animals they audit, and they’re familiar with practical ways to apply the best animal welfare practices.
Most importantly, inspectors care deeply about farm animals. They are passionate about improving their lives.
What happens during an audit?
The job of the inspector is to observe every site and every aspect of the applicant’s operation in order to assess compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. He or she will also review documents and records, interview the people who care for the animals, and conduct traceability audits.
The independent inspectors do more than check boxes. By observing a flock or herd, they can immediately pick up on even subtle issues with the health, nutrition, or handling of the farm animals. They know how to investigate further to identify what may be keeping the animals from thriving.
At the end of each onsite audit, the inspector will review their findings with personnel at the ranch, farm or facility. Their findings are compiled into a report that is signed by the on-site representative for the applicant.
Inspectors do NOT make any decisions about whether an applicant should be granted certification. They report only their expert observations.
The inspector will send the completed audit report to our Compliance Team for their review.
Step 5: We request corrections of any noncompliance issues
Once all audits are complete, the Compliance Team reviews all the documentation and audit reports to assess if the applicant is in compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. Depending on how complex the applicant’s operation is, this review process may take several weeks.
After this thorough review, the Compliance Team confers with the executive personnel for a final decision.
The Certified Humane® program requires full compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. We don’t give farms a partial score or use a grading system. All Certified Humane® farms, ranches and facilities meet every standard that’s applicable to their operation.
If the Compliance Team identifies areas where the applicant did not meet our standards, the executive staff will ask — in writing — for the applicant to address the noncompliance with corrective actions that can be followed consistently and sustainably.
Sometimes this requires a simple record-keeping adjustment. In other cases, the required change may be more extensive. In many cases, a second audit will be necessary to confirm the changes have been made.
We do NOT grant certification to any applicant until ALL issues of noncompliance have been addressed.
We pride ourselves in providing prompt service and helpful guidance to any producer interested in our program, from small family farms to complex ranching operations.
Step 6: We license the use of our logo to farms, ranches, and producers that are in full compliance with our standards
Once an applicant is fully compliant with our Farm Animal Standards and has signed our Licensing Agreement, we grant Certified Humane® certification!
Certification is good for one year and applies only to the animals and products that meet our standards.
Once certified, businesses can begin selling products with the Certified Humane® logo right away.
How do I get the Certified Humane® logo on my certified products?
Once the applicant has become Certified Humane®, our executive team will provide high resolution graphic files so the Certified Humane® logo can be included on packages and in marketing materials. Graphics are included with each certification.
With written approval from the Certified Humane® business, we can provide our high-resolution logo to third-party packaging designers.
Use of the logo is not transferable to third-party processors, distributors or purveyors for advertising.
Step 7: We review compliance annually
Each year, all Certified Humane® farms, ranches and processing operations go through a fresh audit process to renew their certification. They submit a renewal application and let us know of any significant changes to their operations.
We then assign an independent inspector to perform an audit for renewal of their certification. We rotate the inspectors who visit each Certified Humane® operation so that one inspector does not audit the same farm year after year.
Inspections for renewal applications are just as thorough as an initial audit. In fact, they tend to be more rigorous because inspectors compare notes made during previous audits to look for patterns that may be cause for concern.
As needed, we will conduct additional audits. These occur in the cases of major changes or new issues of noncompliance. They may be unannounced, as judged necessary by our executive staff.
Certification FAQs
Still have concerns? Below are more frequently asked questions about our certification process.
Q: Why don’t you audit farms more often?
Our inspections are designed to be a thorough and comprehensive review of ongoing care rather than a snapshot of a moment in time.
Independent inspectors review the year’s worth of health records and veterinarian treatments. They take a note of secondary health indicators like body composition scores or feather coverage for birds. They’ll judge how the farm animals act around people, which will tell them about the attentiveness of their caregivers.
Independent inspectors are scientists in their own right, meaning they’re critical thinkers who are trained to look deeper than surface observations. Because they are familiar with the species they’re auditing, they know when behavior they’re observing is a sign of distress, ongoing mistreatment (no matter how subtle), or when it’s perfectly in line with the natural behaviors of the farm animal.
Independent inspectors can’t be on every farm every day of the year. But they can tell you how well the farm animals are being cared for all year — based on their health, their behaviors, and the extensive records we require of Certified Humane® farms, ranches and processing operations.
Q: What happens if there is a problem or complaint?
Our team takes complaints about farms and ranches in the Certified Humane® program very seriously. The entire process is outlined in our Policy Manual, published on our website.
Our first step is to investigate all the details given by the complainant. Depending on what is learned during the information-gathering process, we usually follow up with an unannounced audit. If any nonconformances are found, the producer will have to make corrections to keep their certification.
If the farm or ranch cannot bring their operations back into compliance — or refuses to do so — their Certified Humane® status will be revoked.
Q: When do you deny certification?
There are cases where we cannot grant certification because a farm or ranch does not meet our Farm Animal Standards.
However, because our primary mission is to improve the lives of ALL farm animals, our executive staff (not the inspectors) will work with an applicant to better explain our standards and help them troubleshoot ways to improve the conditions for animals in their care. In many cases, these farms make adjustments to meet our standards and ultimately become Certified Humane®.
If we do not see improvements to the farm operations after working with an applicant, we will require that the farm wait a year and prove to us in writing that they’ve completely revamped their operations before they can reapply.
Your questions
What other questions about the certification process do you have? Email us questions or connect with us on social media!
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a link to the social media platform of your choice.
Becoming Certified Humane®: What happens during the certification process?
Posted: November 26, 2024 by Certified Humane®
Our goal in this article is to demystify all the details and reasoning behind the certification and explain how a farm or ranch or processor becomes Certified Humane® and can remain on the program through annual audits year after year.
First, you should understand the values and principles that guide the Certified Humane® program. You can read them in full in this article.
Here are the highlights:
We also want to state that animal welfare scientists and veterinarians act as independent inspectors to perform in-depth audits for species they specialize in. We have always contracted with third-party animal welfare specialists to ensure the most accurate and non-biased reporting.
With all those principles in mind, let’s dive into the process of becoming Certified Humane®!
Step 1: A farm or ranch asks to become certified
While this first step may seem obvious, it’s important to point out that the Certified Humane® is a voluntary program run by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Humane Farm Animal Care.
We are not a government organization nor affiliated with any regulatory body or industry organization. We do not enforce animal welfare policies for people who aren’t on our program. Our standards require that trained handlers understand the needs of farm animals and how to apply those needs to their daily routine. That requires a long-term commitment to sustainable practices, not a quick fix.
Farmers and ranchers ask us to certify their operations because they recognize that shoppers trust the Certified Humane® logo. More and more shoppers are willing to pay extra in the grocery aisle if it means that they are supporting the responsible care of farm animals.
Our program is effective because it’s driven by consumer demand and by the compassion of farmers, ranchers and producers who want to do better.
Many operations who seek certification with us are already following at least some responsible care practices. They seek us out because our transparent standards allow them to showcase the ways they are doing right by the animals in their care.
Step 2: The applicant submits an application
When a new applicant submits an inquiry online, we respond immediately to begin their certification process.
Our preliminary conversations clarify the applicant’s business model and so we can determine which standards apply to them. We also answer any questions they have about their anticipated eligibility, fees, the audit process, the forms they need to submit, and the approximate timeline to final certification.
Applications usually include species-specific forms, one for each kind of animal the farm cares for at each site.
They also include one for each facility in the entire supply chain, including any slaughtering and processing locations. The process includes traceability audits at any facilities that create the retail packaging, ensuring all products with our logo actually came from a Certified Humane® farm.
In order to become certified, care during every part of a farm animal’s life MUST meet our Farm Animal Standards.
Step 3: We review submitted forms
Before we go onsite to a farm, ranch or processing operation, our Compliance Team reviews the application and relevant form(s) to see if any obvious corrections need to be made.
Step 4: An independent inspector conduct audit(s) of the entire operation
When the applicant passes the initial review, we’ll assign independent third-party inspectors to audit each farm, ranch or facility. The inspector will contact the applicant to schedule the needed audit(s) at a mutually convenient time.
Who are the inspectors?
The independent inspectors are highly qualified animal scientists or experts in the food industry. Many are veterinarians or have a Ph.D. in their field. They have hands-on farm experience with types(s) of animals they audit, and they’re familiar with practical ways to apply the best animal welfare practices.
Most importantly, inspectors care deeply about farm animals. They are passionate about improving their lives.
What happens during an audit?
The job of the inspector is to observe every site and every aspect of the applicant’s operation in order to assess compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. He or she will also review documents and records, interview the people who care for the animals, and conduct traceability audits.
The independent inspectors do more than check boxes. By observing a flock or herd, they can immediately pick up on even subtle issues with the health, nutrition, or handling of the farm animals. They know how to investigate further to identify what may be keeping the animals from thriving.
At the end of each onsite audit, the inspector will review their findings with personnel at the ranch, farm or facility. Their findings are compiled into a report that is signed by the on-site representative for the applicant.
Inspectors do NOT make any decisions about whether an applicant should be granted certification. They report only their expert observations.
The inspector will send the completed audit report to our Compliance Team for their review.
Step 5: We request corrections of any noncompliance issues
Once all audits are complete, the Compliance Team reviews all the documentation and audit reports to assess if the applicant is in compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. Depending on how complex the applicant’s operation is, this review process may take several weeks.
After this thorough review, the Compliance Team confers with the executive personnel for a final decision.
The Certified Humane® program requires full compliance with our Farm Animal Standards. We don’t give farms a partial score or use a grading system. All Certified Humane® farms, ranches and facilities meet every standard that’s applicable to their operation.
If the Compliance Team identifies areas where the applicant did not meet our standards, the executive staff will ask — in writing — for the applicant to address the noncompliance with corrective actions that can be followed consistently and sustainably.
Sometimes this requires a simple record-keeping adjustment. In other cases, the required change may be more extensive. In many cases, a second audit will be necessary to confirm the changes have been made.
We do NOT grant certification to any applicant until ALL issues of noncompliance have been addressed.
We pride ourselves in providing prompt service and helpful guidance to any producer interested in our program, from small family farms to complex ranching operations.
Step 6: We license the use of our logo to farms, ranches, and producers that are in full compliance with our standards
Once an applicant is fully compliant with our Farm Animal Standards and has signed our Licensing Agreement, we grant Certified Humane® certification!
Certification is good for one year and applies only to the animals and products that meet our standards.
Once certified, businesses can begin selling products with the Certified Humane® logo right away.
How do I get the Certified Humane® logo on my certified products?
Once the applicant has become Certified Humane®, our executive team will provide high resolution graphic files so the Certified Humane® logo can be included on packages and in marketing materials. Graphics are included with each certification.
With written approval from the Certified Humane® business, we can provide our high-resolution logo to third-party packaging designers.
Use of the logo is not transferable to third-party processors, distributors or purveyors for advertising.
Step 7: We review compliance annually
Each year, all Certified Humane® farms, ranches and processing operations go through a fresh audit process to renew their certification. They submit a renewal application and let us know of any significant changes to their operations.
We then assign an independent inspector to perform an audit for renewal of their certification. We rotate the inspectors who visit each Certified Humane® operation so that one inspector does not audit the same farm year after year.
Inspections for renewal applications are just as thorough as an initial audit. In fact, they tend to be more rigorous because inspectors compare notes made during previous audits to look for patterns that may be cause for concern.
As needed, we will conduct additional audits. These occur in the cases of major changes or new issues of noncompliance. They may be unannounced, as judged necessary by our executive staff.
Certification FAQs
Still have concerns? Below are more frequently asked questions about our certification process.
Q: Why don’t you audit farms more often?
Our inspections are designed to be a thorough and comprehensive review of ongoing care rather than a snapshot of a moment in time.
Independent inspectors review the year’s worth of health records and veterinarian treatments. They take a note of secondary health indicators like body composition scores or feather coverage for birds. They’ll judge how the farm animals act around people, which will tell them about the attentiveness of their caregivers.
Independent inspectors are scientists in their own right, meaning they’re critical thinkers who are trained to look deeper than surface observations. Because they are familiar with the species they’re auditing, they know when behavior they’re observing is a sign of distress, ongoing mistreatment (no matter how subtle), or when it’s perfectly in line with the natural behaviors of the farm animal.
Independent inspectors can’t be on every farm every day of the year. But they can tell you how well the farm animals are being cared for all year — based on their health, their behaviors, and the extensive records we require of Certified Humane® farms, ranches and processing operations.
Q: What happens if there is a problem or complaint?
Our team takes complaints about farms and ranches in the Certified Humane® program very seriously. The entire process is outlined in our Policy Manual, published on our website.
Our first step is to investigate all the details given by the complainant. Depending on what is learned during the information-gathering process, we usually follow up with an unannounced audit. If any nonconformances are found, the producer will have to make corrections to keep their certification.
If the farm or ranch cannot bring their operations back into compliance — or refuses to do so — their Certified Humane® status will be revoked.
Q: When do you deny certification?
There are cases where we cannot grant certification because a farm or ranch does not meet our Farm Animal Standards.
However, because our primary mission is to improve the lives of ALL farm animals, our executive staff (not the inspectors) will work with an applicant to better explain our standards and help them troubleshoot ways to improve the conditions for animals in their care. In many cases, these farms make adjustments to meet our standards and ultimately become Certified Humane®.
If we do not see improvements to the farm operations after working with an applicant, we will require that the farm wait a year and prove to us in writing that they’ve completely revamped their operations before they can reapply.
Your questions
What other questions about the certification process do you have? Email us questions or connect with us on social media!
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a link to the social media platform of your choice.
Category: Blog, news