Certified Humane®

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.

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

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

• Animal welfare certification
• Farm animal standards
• Third-party inspections
• Humane food labeling
• Sustainable farming certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Middleburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Application Fees: $75 application fee for new applicants submitting certification inquiry.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core 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

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Toh Thye San FarmminorOthers · 31 March 2019First Certified Humane producer in Southeast Asia for chicken products (GG French Poulet), from Johor, Malaysia, selling primarily to Singapore consumers.
• Liang Kee FarmingminorOthers · 31 March 2019Free-range egg producer in Malaysia (North of Kuala Lumpur) and first Certified Humane free-range egg producer in Southeast Asia.
• Chew's AgricultureminorOthers · 31 March 2019Singapore-based egg producer with cage-free laying hen houses, first Certified Humane producer in Singapore. Supplies 500,000 eggs daily, 95% in Singapore.
• Niman RanchflagshipOthers · 30 August 2016Largest 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.
• RSPCAcoreOthersUK's largest animal welfare charity recognizes and endorses the Certified Humane program.
• U.S. Department of AgriculturecoreOthersUSDA recognition of the Certified Humane program as a valid farm animal welfare certification.
• Consumer ReportscoreOthersConsumer 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

Regional 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

• Xx.com/certifiedhumane
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CertifiedHumane
• Facebookfacebook.com/CertifiedHumane
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/certified-humane
• Instagraminstagram.com/certifiedhumaneofficial
• Pinterestpinterest.com/pinner6937022

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Certified Humane®