Farm Certification Standards

How Our Standards Are Developed and Applied

American Humane Certified™ Animal Welfare Standards are species-specific and grounded on solid scientific research. The standards were created with input from renowned animal science experts and veterinarians and are frequently reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Committee to reflect current research, technological advances and humane handling methods.

Our Animal Welfare Standards are based upon the guiding principles of the Five Domains of Animal Welfare. With rigorous, science-based standards covering everything from adequate space to air and water quality, heating, lighting, shade and the animals’ ability to engage in natural behaviors. American Humane Certified producers are audited for their compliance to the standards. Our audit tools, full standards and supplemental templates are fully transparent and can be downloaded below. Learn why certification matters