Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), the non-profit organization that certifies the humane treatment of animals raised by meat, poultry, egg or dairy producers, was audited and found to be in compliance with the Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 65 General requirements for bodies operating a product certification by the USDA.
ISO Guide 65 specifies requirements for organizations operating third-party product certification systems. HFAC is one of 16 organizations in the U.S. to have met the requirements of the USDA ISO Guide 65 Assessment program. The other 15 organizations are organic certifiers.
HFAC is the first certification body evaluated that applies and certifies animal welfare standards. Operating a certification system that is compliant to ISO Guide 65 means that HFAC operates a third-party certification system in a consistent and reliable manner based on internationally recognized methods, which facilitates their acceptance on a national and international basis furthering international trade. The audit process is one of the most stringent and detailed ISO-based audits conducted by USDA, entailing a review of all activities associated with the company’s quality management system, organizational structure, certification operations, and application and certification of the HFAC’s standards.
“Having an annual audit that is as stringent as this one keeps us accountable to the producers and consumers interested in this program,” said Adele Douglass, founder and executive director of HFAC.
ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 153 countries with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. For consumers, conformity of products and services to International Standards provides assurance about their quality, safety and reliability.
Unveiled in May 2003 and now being used by 31 companies, the Certified Humane label assures consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has been produced in compliance with HFAC’s precise standards for humane farm animal treatment. Animals must receive a nutritious diet free of antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space that are sufficient to support natural behavior.
HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. HFAC is a national nonprofit organization supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations and individuals. More information can be found at HFAC’s website, www.certifiedhumane.org.
News from Humane Farm Animal Care
P.O. Box 727, Herndon, Virginia 20172 – (703) 435-3883
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michele Wells, Humane Farm Animal Care – (303) 417-0696
Humane Farm Animal Care is First Animal Welfare Certification Body to Gain ISO Guide 65 Accreditation
Posted: August 10, 2005 by Certified Humane
Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), the non-profit organization that certifies the humane treatment of animals raised by meat, poultry, egg or dairy producers, was audited and found to be in compliance with the Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 65 General requirements for bodies operating a product certification by the USDA.
ISO Guide 65 specifies requirements for organizations operating third-party product certification systems. HFAC is one of 16 organizations in the U.S. to have met the requirements of the USDA ISO Guide 65 Assessment program. The other 15 organizations are organic certifiers.
HFAC is the first certification body evaluated that applies and certifies animal welfare standards. Operating a certification system that is compliant to ISO Guide 65 means that HFAC operates a third-party certification system in a consistent and reliable manner based on internationally recognized methods, which facilitates their acceptance on a national and international basis furthering international trade. The audit process is one of the most stringent and detailed ISO-based audits conducted by USDA, entailing a review of all activities associated with the company’s quality management system, organizational structure, certification operations, and application and certification of the HFAC’s standards.
“Having an annual audit that is as stringent as this one keeps us accountable to the producers and consumers interested in this program,” said Adele Douglass, founder and executive director of HFAC.
ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 153 countries with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. For consumers, conformity of products and services to International Standards provides assurance about their quality, safety and reliability.
Unveiled in May 2003 and now being used by 31 companies, the Certified Humane label assures consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has been produced in compliance with HFAC’s precise standards for humane farm animal treatment. Animals must receive a nutritious diet free of antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space that are sufficient to support natural behavior.
HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. HFAC is a national nonprofit organization supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations and individuals. More information can be found at HFAC’s website, www.certifiedhumane.org.
News from Humane Farm Animal Care
P.O. Box 727, Herndon, Virginia 20172 – (703) 435-3883
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michele Wells, Humane Farm Animal Care – (303) 417-0696
Category: press