CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE BEEF FRAMEWORK CANADA

What CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE BEEF FRAMEWORK CANADA does

CRSB is a Canadian non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in 2014 (with the CRSB Certified program launching in 2017), headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. It convenes producers, processors, retailers, foodservice operators, non-governmental organizations, and government representatives to develop and maintain sustainability standards for the Canadian beef value chain. Its flagship offering, the CRSB Certified program, is described as the world's first outcome-based, third-party audited certification for beef sustainability, covering the full chain from primary production through processing.

The core product is the CRSB Certified mark, issued through approved third-party certification bodies including Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+), Where Food Comes From, and Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance. As of the most recent reporting, 1,243 farms and ranches covering 4.8 million acres are certified, and seven downstream companies actively source CRSB Certified beef. CRSB is an ISEAL Alliance subscriber, signaling adherence to international credible sustainability standards, and has produced a National Beef Sustainability Assessment (NBSA) establishing baseline environmental, social, and economic indicators.

CRSB's revenue model rests on certification fees paid by producers and supply-chain participants, supplemented by member dues and federal government grants. Cumulative disclosed funding exceeds $2.8 million through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriAssurance Program. Named downstream partners span major Canadian retailers and foodservice operators, including Cargill, McDonald's Canada, Walmart Canada, Metro Ontario, Loblaw, Centennial Foodservice, Gordon Food Service, Recipe Unlimited, Intercity Packers, MacGregors, JBS Canada, and Ontario Corn Fed Beef. Recent strategic initiatives have begun linking CRSB certification to direct financial incentives, including an FCC Sustainability Incentive Program (up to $4,000 per qualifying producer, 2026), a CRSB Certified Producer Incentive (February 2026), and federal recognition of CRSB as an Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment tool under AgriInvest (September 2025).

Name

CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE BEEF FRAMEWORK CANADA

Legal name

Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef

Website

https://crsbcertified.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CRSB is a Calgary-based Canadian non-profit multi-stakeholder organization that operates the CRSB Certified program, the world's first outcome-based, third-party audited certification for sustainable beef production and processing, serving Canadian producers, processors, retailers, and foodservice operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Certification Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab) (AFAEALAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pre-Assessment, Gap Assessment & Certification Readiness Services (AFALACAE)

Keywords

• Sustainable beef certification
• Beef supply chain verification
• Sustainability standards development
• Third-party auditing services
• Chain of custody tracking

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Fees: Beef producers and processors pay for third-party audits and certification against CRSB sustainability standards. Certification Bodies (VBP+, Where Food Comes From, Ontario Corn Fed Beef) conduct the audits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CRSB Certified is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization that develops and operates outcome-based sustainability standards and a third-party audited certification program for Canadian beef production (farms, ranches, feedlots) and processing (packing and processing facilities). The framework includes a Chain of Custody requirement, the National Beef Sustainability Assessment (NBSA), and approved certification bodies that verify compliance and issue CRSB Certified claims for beef sold into retail and foodservice supply chains.

Product overview

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) operates the CRSB Certified Program, a voluntary third-party audited certification program for beef sustainability covering natural resources, people and community, animal health and welfare, food, and efficiency and innovation. The program is complemented by the National Beef Sustainability Assessment (NBSA), which provides scientific benchmarking. Financial incentives are available through the CRSB Certified Producer Incentive and Farm Credit Canada's Sustainability Incentive Program. CRSB standards cover both production and processing standards across the beef supply chain in Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CRSB Certified Sustainable Beef Program Outcome-based, third-party audited certification program that verifies beef production and processing operations against CRSB sustainability standards, enabling participants to market beef as CRSB Certified to retail and foodservice customers in Canada.
• CRSB Sustainable Beef Production Standard Outcome-based sustainability standard against which Canadian beef producers (cow-calf, backgrounding, feedlot operations) are audited by approved certification bodies to achieve CRSB Certified status.
• CRSB Sustainable Beef Processing Standard Outcome-based sustainability standard against which Canadian beef processing and packing facilities are audited to deliver CRSB Certified beef products into retail and foodservice supply chains.
• CRSB Chain of Custody Certification Third-party audited requirement that verifies the segregation, traceability, and integrity of CRSB Certified beef through processing and supply chains, enabling finished products to carry the CRSB Certified claim.
• National Beef Sustainability Assessment (NBSA) National-scale research and benchmarking report that quantitatively measures the environmental, social, and economic sustainability performance of the Canadian beef industry, used to support the credibility of the CRSB Certified framework.
• CRSB Certified Producer Incentive Financial incentive program that compensates CRSB Certified cow-calf producers for cattle raised to the CRSB Sustainable Beef Production Standard, supporting the economic case for certification.
• Farm Credit Canada Sustainability Incentive Program Partner-funded incentive program delivered with Farm Credit Canada that pays CRSB Certified producers a per-head payment for cattle raised under the CRSB Sustainable Beef Production Standard, increasing the financial return for certified producers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to produce 1 kg of beef since 2014
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA)coreTechnology or Integration · 16 September 2025CCIA is the live cattle tracking provider for the CRSB Certified program. Provides step-by-step demonstrations of key supply chain requirement steps in the Canadian Livestock Tracking System and CRSB Certification search tool.
• Canadian Beef AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2025Collaborative group of seven national beef organizations including CRSB, Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Beef Breeds Council, Canada Beef, Canadian Cattle Association, Canadian Meat Council, and National Cattle Feeders' Association. Released 2025-30 National Beef Strategy.
• CargillcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2024Founding member of CRSB Certified Program. Provides Qualifying Cattle Credits and Certification Recognition Credit to certified producers. Partners with supply chain customers including Centennial, Gordon Food Service, Intercity Packers, MacGregors, McDonald's, Metro, Recipe Unlimited, and Walmart.
• McDonald's CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2024Founding member of CRSB established in 2014. Major customer sourcing beef from CRSB Certified farms and ranches. Supported development of Canadian standards for beef sustainability.
• Centennial Food SolutionsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2024Foodservice partner contributing to Certification Recognition Credit funding. Certified to provide customers with beef from Certified Sustainable farms and ranches in Western Canada and Greater Toronto area.
• Gordon Food ServicemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2024Foodservice distributor incorporating sustainable sourcing for Gordon Choice boxed beef program with minimum 30% from CRSB Certified operations.
• Intercity PackersmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2024Supply chain partner working with Gordon Food Service to track cattle from CRSB Certified Operations.
• MacGregors Meat & SeafoodmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2024Supply chain partner contributing to Certification Recognition Credit funding.
• MetrocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2024Achieved 2022 commitment to buy 3 million pounds of beef from CRSB Certified farms and ranches by 2026 ahead of schedule. CRSB Certified Mass Balance mark on all beef products in Platinum Grill Angus Canadian AAA Beef Program across 131 stores in Ontario.
• Recipe UnlimitedmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2024Restaurant company contributing to Certification Recognition Credit funding.
• Walmart CanadacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2024First retailer in Canada to offer on-pack certified sustainable claim in a line of beef products. Sourcing sufficient quantity of CRSB Certified beef for Your Fresh Market brand beef patties to include sustainability certification label.
• Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance ProgramcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 December 2020Approved as Certification Body for CRSB's Sustainable Beef Production Standard for beef feedlot operations in Ontario. Represents 500+ registered members producing over 300,000 cattle annually.
• JBS CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2020Brooks, Alberta beef processing facility certified as Sustainable Beef Processor according to CRSB Sustainable Beef Processing Standard. One of the largest beef processors in Canada.
• MultiSAR, Cows and Fish, Beef Producer AssociationsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2019Partnership implementing habitat improvements through Species at Risk on Agricultural Lands program. Worked with 17 ranches implementing 32 habitat improvements covering 189,000 acres in Alberta's Grassland Natural Region.
• Alberta Conservation AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2019Biologist partner in MultiSAR collaboration for habitat improvements and biodiversity conservation in Alberta.
• Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCRSB-approved Certification Body for sustainable beef production certification. One of the primary certification bodies conducting third-party audits of producers.
• Where Food Comes FromcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCRSB-approved Certification Body conducting third-party audits for beef sustainability certification.
• World Wildlife Fund U.S.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO stakeholder member of CRSB representing environmental interests in standards development.
• Nature Conservancy of CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO stakeholder member of CRSB supporting biodiversity and habitat conservation in beef production.
• Ducks Unlimited CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO stakeholder member of CRSB focused on wetland and grassland conservation in beef-producing regions.
• Beef Farmers of OntariomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents Ontario beef producers and supports CRSB certification through Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program partnership.
• NSF InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationOversight Body for CRSB that assesses and approves Certification Bodies against CRSB requirements.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rainforest Alliance: Global sustainability certification organization (also an ISEAL member) with agriculture, forestry, and livestock-adjacent standards. Comparable as a large-scale, NGO-anchored sustainability certification competitor for retailer sustainability claims budgets.
• Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB): Global umbrella organization of which CRSB is a member roundtable. Sets international principles and benchmarks that CRSB aligns with; competes for influence on sustainability standard-setting versus national roundtables.
• Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS): Multi-stakeholder sustainability certification body for soy using an analogous roundtable-plus-third-party-audit model. Strong structural comparable for how CRSB operates, useful for benchmarking governance, fee models, and chain-of-custody economics.
• Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI Platform): Global food and beverage industry platform for sustainable agriculture, including a Beef Working Group with sustainability criteria. Comparable as a multi-stakeholder sustainability framework that competes for retailer adoption across multiple commodities, not just beef.

Others

• NSF International: Global standards, testing, inspection, and certification body serving food, water, and sustainability markets. Functions as the oversight/accreditation body for CRSB-approved Certification Bodies, making it both an infrastructure provider and an adjacent competitor in sustainability certification.

Direct peers

• Where Food Comes From: U.S.-based verification and certification company operating across livestock and crop sectors. Directly comparable as a third-party audit/certification provider and is itself an approved Certification Body under CRSB, blurring peer-vs-partner line.
• U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef: Multi-stakeholder U.S. equivalent of CRSB, developing sustainability indicators and frameworks for the U.S. beef value chain. Directly comparable governance model (producers, processors, retailers, NGOs) and parallel outcome-based standard structure, though operating in the U.S. market.
• Beef Quality Assurance (BQA): U.S. national beef quality assurance program covering animal welfare, handling, and production practices. Directly comparable as a beef industry self-assessment/certification scheme, though more focused on quality and animal handling than sustainability.
• Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+): Canadian on-farm food safety and sustainability audit program that doubles as a CRSB-approved Certification Body. Directly comparable in serving Canadian beef producers with audit services and is a key delivery channel for CRSB certification.

Regional players

• Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program: Ontario regional beef quality and traceability program representing 500+ members producing 300,000+ cattle annually. Functions both as a CRSB-approved Certification Body and a competing branded label with its own sustainability/provenance claims in the Ontario market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CRSB_beef
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQtD4ioL1AoZLIqwDnBoFdw
• Facebookfacebook.com/CRSBbeef
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canadian-roundtable-for-sustainable-beef-crsb
• Instagraminstagram.com/crsb_beef

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 SUSTAINABLE BEEF FRAMEWORK CANADA