In this context, independent certifications have taken on a strategic role: providing reliable, auditable, and transparent parameters to ensure that welfare practices are truly implemented—not just communicated.

This is particularly relevant for animal-based food products such as meat, eggs, dairy, and fish, which require traceability, strict criteria, and compliance with international animal welfare standards.

Within this scenario, the results of the 2025 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark are especially significant.

In its latest edition, the benchmark compared several certification programs in the global salmon market and ranked Certified Humane® as the one with the most comprehensive, robust, and consistent standards.

The program scored 8.75 points — the highest among all schemes analyzed—confirming its technical leadership, high standards of animal welfare, and ongoing commitment to international standards.

The study also marks global recognition of Certified Humane®’s debut in aquaculture, officially launched in 2024 with its salmon-specific standard.

The certification sets objective, verifiable criteria to ensure appropriate handling, feeding, stocking density, transportation, and slaughter practices, maintaining the same scientific rigor established in the certification of poultry, pigs, cattle, and other species.

What the Benchmark Evaluated and Why It Matters

The report assessed various international certifications in detail, comparing their criteria and methodologies across key aspects, including:

• Definition and precision in animal welfare terminology 
• Minimum standards for housing, handling, transport, and slaughter 
• Scientific rigor of the standards 
• Public transparency 
• Audit structure and technical independence 
• Coherence and comprehensiveness in the approach to animal welfare 
• Global presence and adaptability to different production systems 

Although the primary focus was aquaculture certifications, the inclusion of Certified Humane®—traditionally known for land animal standards—broadened the analysis and introduced new comparative parameters.

According to the report, Certified Humane® stood out because it already had a solid framework developed over more than two decades, now being applied to aquaculture. Unlike other certifications with stagnant or outdated criteria, Certified Humane® continually revises and enhances its standards based on new scientific evidence.

What Sets Certified Humane® Apart from Other Global Certifications

Certified Humane®’s strength lies in its integrated approach, going far beyond good intentions. The certification is designed to cover every stage of the animal’s lifecycle:

1. Scientific Basis and Independent Committees

   All standards are developed by international experts in animal behavior, veterinary science, welfare, and production systems. The rules are species-specific and aligned with current scientific literature.

    

2. Holistic Approach to Welfare

   It considers physical and psychological health, natural behavior, environment, nutrition, management, transportation, and humane slaughter—all simultaneously.

    

3. Clear, Measurable, and Auditable Criteria

   Certified Humane® defines exact parameters that can be objectively verified by auditors, such as maximum stocking densities and water quality for aquatic animals.

    

4. Independent Audits and Rigorous Methodology

   The program uses regular on-site audits (sometimes unannounced), conducted by qualified, independent auditors and supported by extensive documentation and compliance evidence.

    

5. Transparency

   Both the benchmark and Certified Humane® make all standards publicly available, allowing consumers, retailers, and producers to understand requirements and track compliance.

    

Practical Impact of International Recognition

Being recognized as the certification with the most robust and comprehensive welfare language has key implications:

For Producers

• Access to more demanding international markets 
• Legal and regulatory predictability 
• Product value enhancement—certified products are better received 
• Encouragement for continuous improvement in practices and infrastructure 

For Retailers and Institutional Buyers

• Reliable criteria for supplier selection 
• Reduced reputational and greenwashing risks 
• Compliance with growing ESG demands 

For Consumers

• Transparency and trust in food choices 
• Assurance of compliance with recognized welfare standards 
• Empowerment to make informed decisions based on verifiable evidence 

For the Global Production Sector

• Elevation of minimum welfare standards in supply chains 
• Push for modernization of regulations 
• Increased demand for research and innovation driven by robust certification standards 

Certified Humane®: A Benchmark for the Future

The expansion into aquaculture is a significant milestone in global animal welfare awareness. After launching the salmon standard in 2024, Certified Humane® has already released a new standard in 2025 for tilapia — Latin America’s most farmed aquatic species.

Aquatic animals have historically been overlooked in welfare discussions, despite scientific evidence showing they experience pain, stress, and discomfort. By achieving top scores in the benchmark, Certified Humane® reinforces:

• That animal welfare is a universal right, not a species privilege 
• That standards must be science-based, auditable, transparent, and adaptable 
• That consumers, producers, and markets are ready to embrace these standards 

Certified Humane®’s recognition in the 2025 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark confirms its leadership in transforming global food production systems with ethics, scientific rigor, and social-environmental responsibility.

The report makes it clear: among all certifications evaluated, Certified Humane® most consistently and rigorously incorporates international animal welfare principles.

This recognition reinforces:

• The seal’s credibility 
• Its global relevance 
• Its market influence 
• Its importance for consumers, producers, and retailers seeking truly responsible practices
  

It points to a future where animal welfare is no longer a differentiator—but a non-negotiable requirement in food production.

To download the Certified Humane® Atlantic Salmon Standard, access the link.

For Certified Humane®, this achievement represents a monumental step in the expansion of its operations. “For us, it’s extremely important, as it marks Humane Farm Animal Care’s entry into aquatic animal certification. It’s an incredible expansion of our reach, which now extends to more than 20 countries and covers several species. Atlantic salmon is just the beginning, we are already developing standards for tilapia, targeting markets such as Brazil and some Asian countries,” says Luiz Mazzon, the organization’s director for Latin America and Asia.

For three decades, Cermaq Chile has stood out as a proven leader in aquaculture, both nationally and internationally. The company’s trajectory began in 1985 with the start-up of Mainstream’s salmon subsidiary. Since then, Cermaq has grown and changed, acquiring other companies along the way. 

In 2013, it adopted the Cermaq name across all its global operations, including Chile, Norway and Canada, as part of a brand positioning strategy. In 2014, Mitsubishi Corporation acquired Cermaq, opening doors to important Asian markets. Years later, Mitsubishi consolidated its operations in Chile, merging Cermaq Chile with Salmones Humboldt. Today, Cermaq Chile is the Cermaq group’s largest operation, with a workforce that, in its peak season, reaches 2,800 employees.

Rigor at every stage of production

The Certified Humane® certification is recognized globally for its rigorous requirements, which cover all stages of production. From access to a high-quality, nutritious diet to creating an environment that minimizes physical and physiological discomfort, certified producers like Cermaq must comply with all the guidelines established to guarantee the highest standard of animal welfare.

These guidelines include detailed practices that ensure salmon live in conditions that respect their natural needs. This involves everything from water quality and the space available for the fish to management methods that reduce stress and promote the animals’ health and growth.

As well as enhancing producers’ reputations and differentiating their products on the global market, Certified Humane® certification offers significant advantages for both the salmon industry and consumers. It promotes responsible farming practices, contributing to environmental sustainability and protecting marine biodiversity.

The Certified Humane® Atlantic Salmon standard is a reflection of this deep commitment to animal welfare and sustainability. Certification represents a step towards a more sustainable future for aquaculture and the planet as a whole.

Availability of the standard 

For those interested in understanding the certification criteria in more detail, the Certified Humane® standard for Atlantic Salmon is available to download in Spanish. This document offers a complete overview of the recommended and mandatory practices to ensure that all aspects of animal welfare are strictly observed.

With this certification, Cermaq leads by example, promoting aquaculture practices that are responsible, sustainable and forward-looking.