Certified Humane®
Certified Humane® is a nonprofit farm animal welfare certification program that issues its trademark to farmers and processors meeting science-based species-specific standards, verified through annual third-party inspections by credentialed auditors, serving producers, retailers, and conscious consumers across 30+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersMiddleburg, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Certified Humane® does
Certified Humane® is a voluntary farm animal welfare certification program operated by Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 by Adele Douglass Jolley and headquartered in Middleburg, Virginia. The program issues the registered Certified Humane® Raised and Handled trademark to farmers, ranchers, and processors who demonstrate compliance with species-specific Farm Animal Care Standards covering 17+ species including beef cattle, broiler chickens, laying hens, ducks, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, turkeys, bison, water buffalo, farmed Atlantic salmon, and farmed tilapia. A 40+ member Scientific Committee of animal welfare scientists and veterinarians from universities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, and Australia develops and continuously updates these standards based on peer-reviewed research; third-party independent inspectors with species-specific credentials conduct annual on-site audits, and certification is valid for 12 months with no phase-in period.
The organization's revenue model is a hybrid of recurring certification and inspection fees (a fraction of a percent of certified product sales, with free inspections offered to some very small farms), a one-time $75 application fee, and tax-deductible donations (including cryptocurrency via The Giving Block and Gemini Trust Exchange). Go-to-market operates through three reinforcing channels: sales-led producer recruitment (driven by consumer demand and retailer requirements), channel partnerships with 55,000+ retail storefronts globally, and community-led advocacy. The program serves four primary customer segments: farmers and ranchers seeking marketplace differentiation, processors and handlers needing traceability compliance, retailers and food service operators meeting consumer demand, and conscious consumers who use the label as a trust signal.
Since inception, more than 200 companies representing 6,000+ farms and 1 billion+ farm animals have joined the program, with current annual reach of approximately 500 million animals raised under Certified Humane standards across 24–30+ countries. Notable enterprise customers include Niman Ranch (720+ family farms), Cal-Maine Foods, ButcherBox, Applegate, and Chew's Agriculture, with the latter securing a 10-year S$27 million sustainability-linked loan from DBS Bank whose terms are tied to Certified Humane compliance. The program is recognized by the USDA, endorsed by the RSPCA, and rated by Consumer Reports as having more extensive standards than organic.
Certified Humane® firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Certified Humane®
- Legal name
- Humane Farm Animal Care
- Website
- https://certifiedhumane.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Certified Humane® is a nonprofit farm animal welfare certification program that issues its trademark to farmers and processors meeting science-based species-specific standards, verified through annual third-party inspections by credentialed auditors, serving producers, retailers, and conscious consumers across 30+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Certified Humane® industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animal Welfare Certification
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Animal Production (1152)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animal Welfare Certification Services (AFALAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab) (AFAEALAN), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)
Keywords
Where Certified Humane® is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Middleburg
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Certified Humane® business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Certification Fees: Annual certification fees charged to farms and producers for program membership and use of the Certified Humane trademark. Certification is valid for 12 months.
- Inspection Fees: Annual inspection fees for third-party audits. HFAC charges flat rate for inspections and subsidizes costs with operating budget. Free inspections offered for some very small farms.
- Application Fees: $75 application fee for new applicants submitting certification inquiry.
- Donations: Tax-deductible donations from supporters, including cryptocurrency donations through The Giving Block and Gemini Exchange. 100% of donations go directly to Program Services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application fee for new applicants |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual certification and inspection fees |
| Subscription | Annual | Free inspections for very small farms |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Certified Humane® product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Certified Humane® operates a voluntary, science-based farm animal welfare certification program covering 16+ species (beef cattle, broiler chickens, laying hens, ducks, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, turkeys, bison, red deer, water buffalo, farmed Atlantic salmon, and farmed tilapia). Farmers, ranchers, processors, and brands pay annual certification and inspection fees to meet Farm Animal Care Standards, undergo third-party independent audits, and gain the right to use the Certified Humane® trademark on compliant meat, poultry, egg, dairy, pet food, textile, and personal care products.
Product overview
Certified Humane® is a voluntary farm animal welfare certification program operated by the nonprofit Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), founded in 2003. Its core offering is the Certified Humane® Raised and Handled program — a multi-tiered certification service comprising science-based Farm Animal Care Standards (covering 17+ species), third-party independent inspections by animal scientists and veterinarians, a searchable certified producer database, and a consumer-facing mobile app and Shop-by-Brand directory. The program is complemented by a 40+ member Scientific Committee that continuously updates standards based on peer-reviewed research. HFAC also offers an optional Grass-Fed add-on certification for qualifying livestock producers, and publishes annual transparency reports. The program is available internationally across 24 countries and authorizes the use of the Certified Humane® trademark on compliant meat, poultry, egg, dairy, pet food, textiles, and personal care products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Certified Humane® Raised and Handled Program A voluntary farm animal welfare certification program requiring farmers, ranchers, and processors to meet precise, objective standards for animal treatment and product traceability, granting the right to use the Certified Humane® Raised and Handled trademark on compliant meat, poultry, egg, dairy, pet food, textile, and personal care products.
- Farm Animal Care Standards Science-based animal welfare standards developed by a 40+ member Scientific Committee, covering 16+ species including beef cattle, broiler chickens, laying hens, ducks, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, turkeys, bison, young dairy beef, red deer, water buffalo, farmed Atlantic salmon, and farmed tilapia. Standards cover nutrition, space, environmental enrichment, handling, and euthanasia from birth through slaughter.
- Third-Party Inspection and Certification Services Annual independent audits conducted by animal scientists and veterinarians with species-specific expertise, evaluating compliance with Farm Animal Care Standards across farms, ranches, and slaughter/processing facilities, resulting in a 12-month certification.
- Consumer Mobile Application (Certified Humane App) Free mobile app for iPhone and Android enabling consumers to find Certified Humane® products in nearby stores, connect on social media, watch videos, listen to podcasts, read blog posts, and learn about Animal Care Standards.
- iWatchBroiler Chicken Welfare Tool A mobile application available on Google Play for broiler chicken farmers to monitor and record welfare indicators, supporting compliance with Certified Humane® standards.
- Certified Humane® Grass-Fed Option Program An optional add-on certification within the Certified Humane® program for beef cattle, bison, dairy cattle, and lamb producers who meet additional grass-fed dietary requirements in conjunction with base animal welfare standards.
- Searchable Certified Producer Database (Who's Certified) A searchable online directory of over 200 certified companies and 6,000+ farms authorized to use the Certified Humane® logo, organized by company name and certified products, covering operations across 24+ countries.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than six in ten (63%) Americans say poor animal welfare reputation would make them less likely to buy from that company (YouGov, November 2018)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Certified Humane®
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Certified Humane® technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Certified Humane® partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.
- Toh Thye San FarmminorFirst Certified Humane producer in Southeast Asia for chicken products (GG French Poulet), from Johor, Malaysia, selling primarily to Singapore consumers.
- Liang Kee FarmingminorFree-range egg producer in Malaysia (North of Kuala Lumpur) and first Certified Humane free-range egg producer in Southeast Asia.
- Chew's AgricultureminorSingapore-based egg producer with cage-free laying hen houses, first Certified Humane producer in Singapore. Supplies 500,000 eggs daily, 95% in Singapore.
- Niman RanchflagshipLargest multi-protein company in U.S. to join Certified Humane program (August 2016). All pork, beef, lamb and processed products certified. Represents 720+ independent family farms across Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and mid-Atlantic.
- RSPCAcoreUK's largest animal welfare charity recognizes and endorses the Certified Humane program.
- U.S. Department of AgriculturecoreUSDA recognition of the Certified Humane program as a valid farm animal welfare certification.
- Consumer ReportscoreConsumer Reports featured Certified Humane as having more extensive animal welfare standards than organics in their 'Shop Smart' guide.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Certified Humane® competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- RSPCA Assured: RSPCA Assured is the UK's leading farm animal welfare certification, operated by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — which also endorses Certified Humane. Comparable standards framework and business model, but primarily UK-focused with limited direct competition in Certified Humane's core U.S./Americas markets.
Others
- Demeter Association: Demeter USA certifies biodynamic farming operations with standards that include animal welfare provisions. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but targets the same premium, mission-driven producer segment and consumer demographic as Certified Humane.
- Fair Trade Certified: Fair Trade Certified is an ethical sourcing certification covering labor and sustainability standards, with growing extension into agricultural supply chains. Not a direct animal welfare competitor but competes for the same "ethical food label" shelf space and consumer willingness-to-pay premiums.
Direct peers
- American Humane Certified: American Humane Certified is one of the longest-standing U.S. farm animal welfare certifications, using the "American Humane Certified" seal on meat, dairy, and eggs. Competes for the same producer customer base and consumer label recognition, particularly in protein categories.
- Animal Welfare Approved (by A Greener World): Animal Welfare Approved is the most direct competitor — a nonprofit farm animal welfare certification covering multiple species with a third-party audit model. Targets the same farmers, ranchers, and conscious consumers as Certified Humane and competes head-to-head for shelf placement and producer adoption.
- Global Animal Partnership (GAP): Global Animal Partnership operates a multi-tier (Step 1-5+) animal welfare certification used by major North American retailers including Whole Foods. Directly competes with Certified Humane for producer certifications and retailer shelf placement using a comparable third-party audit framework.
Broad incumbents
- USDA Organic Certification: USDA Organic is the dominant government-backed food certification with animal welfare components (pasture requirements for ruminants, outdoor access for poultry). While broader and less welfare-specific than Certified Humane, it competes for the same consumer "ethical food" wallet share and producer certification budgets.
- B Lab / B Corporation Certification: B Corp Certification is a broader corporate social/environmental performance standard that increasingly includes animal welfare metrics for food producers. Competes for producer ESG certification budgets and overlapping consumer "values-based purchasing" mindshare, though it covers far more than farm animal welfare.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Certified Humane® social profiles
Digital presenceCertified Humane® compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Certified Humane® financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Certified Humane® leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Certified Humane® funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Certified Humane® M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Certified Humane®
What does Certified Humane® do?
Certified Humane® operates a voluntary, science-based farm animal welfare certification program covering 16+ species (beef cattle, broiler chickens, laying hens, ducks, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, turkeys, bison, red deer, water buffalo, farmed Atlantic salmon, and farmed tilapia). Farmers, ranchers, processors, and brands pay annual certification and inspection fees to meet Farm Animal Care Standards, undergo third-party independent audits, and gain the right to use the Certified Humane® trademark on compliant meat, poultry, egg, dairy, pet food, textile, and personal care products.
Is Certified Humane® a public or private company?
Certified Humane® is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Certified Humane® founded?
Certified Humane® was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Certified Humane® based?
Certified Humane® is headquartered in Middleburg, United States, in the North America region.
How does Certified Humane® make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Certification Fees are the primary driver. The others are inspection Fees, application Fees and donations.
Who are Certified Humane®'s main competitors?
RSPCA Assured is listed as a regional player. Others are Demeter Association and Fair Trade Certified. Direct peers are American Humane Certified, Animal Welfare Approved (by A Greener World) and Global Animal Partnership (GAP). Broad incumbents are USDA Organic Certification and B Lab / B Corporation Certification.
Does Certified Humane® have an API?
No public API is recorded for Certified Humane®.
What industry is Certified Humane® in?
Certified Humane®'s product category is Animal Welfare Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALAMAE, Animal Welfare Certification Services, with a secondary code of AFAEALAN, Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab). Its NAICS code is 1152 and its SIC code is 700.