What We Do
Certification indicates that a farm or producer has been evaluated and found to be in compliance with our standards at the time of audit or inspection. These standards include provisions designed to promote a supportive environment in which animals in the food production process can safely and securely engage in natural behaviors while being handled with compassion and respect.
For example, our standards for laying hens require ample space, access to nest boxes, and room to flap their wings and dust bathe. Hens are also provided with perch space so the flock can roost at varying heights according to their natural pecking order.
Likewise, our standards for pigs provide that pregnant sows are not to be confined in gestation crates. Instead, our standards require that sows be free to move about and, prior to giving birth, be provided with space and materials to build nests for their piglets.
Across all covered species, our standards require living environments to meet specific behavioral and physical needs of each type of animal. In all circumstances, our requirements represent a significant departure from typical commercial practices. For this reason, we believe our program provides meaningful improvements in the welfare of animals raised within the food supply chain.
What Do Not Do
Our inspectors who audit farms and production facilities are specialists who have animal science degrees or equivalent experience in animal agriculture or food science. They can recognize if a herd or flock is malnourished or being treated in violation of our standards.
However, farms and production facilities operate continuously and independently throughout the year. As a result, isolated instances of noncompliance may occur on any given day that we cannot directly observe or address. Accordingly, certification does not constitute a warranty or guarantee that our standards are met without exception at all times or that non-compliant conditions never occur. Furthermore, while the use of our certification mark on packaging signifies that a certified operator has agreed to meet the requirements of our certification program and represents itself as being in compliance, it does not constitute our guarantee or warranty that the operator is in compliance at all times.
Disclaimer
To the fullest extent permitted by law, our organization disclaims responsibility and liability for the day-to-day conduct, practices, or actions of certified operators or their employees. Nothing in our certification program is intended to create, and shall not be interpreted as creating, any third-party beneficiary rights or rights of reliance for consumers or other parties.
Compliance
Posted: April 14, 2026 by Certified Humane®
What We Do
Certification indicates that a farm or producer has been evaluated and found to be in compliance with our standards at the time of audit or inspection. These standards include provisions designed to promote a supportive environment in which animals in the food production process can safely and securely engage in natural behaviors while being handled with compassion and respect.
For example, our standards for laying hens require ample space, access to nest boxes, and room to flap their wings and dust bathe. Hens are also provided with perch space so the flock can roost at varying heights according to their natural pecking order.
Likewise, our standards for pigs provide that pregnant sows are not to be confined in gestation crates. Instead, our standards require that sows be free to move about and, prior to giving birth, be provided with space and materials to build nests for their piglets.
Across all covered species, our standards require living environments to meet specific behavioral and physical needs of each type of animal. In all circumstances, our requirements represent a significant departure from typical commercial practices. For this reason, we believe our program provides meaningful improvements in the welfare of animals raised within the food supply chain.
What Do Not Do
Our inspectors who audit farms and production facilities are specialists who have animal science degrees or equivalent experience in animal agriculture or food science. They can recognize if a herd or flock is malnourished or being treated in violation of our standards.
However, farms and production facilities operate continuously and independently throughout the year. As a result, isolated instances of noncompliance may occur on any given day that we cannot directly observe or address. Accordingly, certification does not constitute a warranty or guarantee that our standards are met without exception at all times or that non-compliant conditions never occur. Furthermore, while the use of our certification mark on packaging signifies that a certified operator has agreed to meet the requirements of our certification program and represents itself as being in compliance, it does not constitute our guarantee or warranty that the operator is in compliance at all times.
Disclaimer
To the fullest extent permitted by law, our organization disclaims responsibility and liability for the day-to-day conduct, practices, or actions of certified operators or their employees. Nothing in our certification program is intended to create, and shall not be interpreted as creating, any third-party beneficiary rights or rights of reliance for consumers or other parties.
Category: What we do and do not do.