Comparing animal welfare certifiers
& why they’re failing chickens
Image credit: We Animals Media
Image credit: We Animals Media
Comparing animal welfare certifiers
& why they’re failing chickens
How do you make informed choices when it’s not clear what food labels actually mean?
There are many different food labels and animal welfare claims on chicken meat products in Australia. Free-range. Organic. RSPCA Certified.
But what do these certifications actually mean for chickens?
Making informed choices can be difficult when it’s often not clear what each label means. It also doesn't help that marketers often use misleading images and language.
This guide breaks down the most common certification labels you'll see on chicken meat products in Australia, and explains what they mean for animal welfare.
How do you make informed choices when it’s not clear what food labels actually mean?
There are many different food labels and animal welfare claims on chicken meat products in Australia. Free-range. Organic. RSPCA Certified. But what do these labels actually mean for chickens?
Making informed choices can be difficult when it’s often not clear what each label means. It also doesn't help that marketers often use misleading images and language.
This guide breaks down the most common labels you'll see on chicken meat products in Australia, and explains what they mean for animal welfare.
Who certifies chicken welfare in Australia?
Australian Certified Organic certifies a range of products as well as retail stores.
The ACO standard notes a “preference” for slower growing “species”, but has no formal requirements.
RSPCA Certified
RSPCA Australia’s Meat Chicken Standard sets out the requirements enforced by RSPCA Certified.
If an RSPCA Certified product is also marketed as free-range, it must meet additional RSPCA outdoor standards.
FREPA
(Accredited Free Range)
Free Range Egg and Poultry Australia certifies free-range chickens to their standards.
The FREPA standard is silent or has only vague positions on a number of key animal welfare issues.
Australian Certified Organic (ACO)
Who certifies chicken welfare in Australia?
RSPCA Certified
RSPCA Australia’s Meat Chicken Standard sets out the requirements enforced by RSPCA Certified.
If an RSPCA Certified product is also marketed as free-range, it must meet additional RSPCA outdoor standards.
FREPA (Free Range Egg and Poultry Australia)
FREPA certifies free-range chickens to their standards.
The FREPA standard is silent or has only vague positions on a number of key animal welfare issues.
Australian Certified Organic (ACO)
Australian Certified Organic certifies a range of products as well as retail stores.
The ACO standard notes a “preference” for slower growing “species”, but has no formal requirements.
How do animal welfare labels stack up to the Better Chicken Commitment?
The Better Chicken Commitment is the global benchmark for chicken welfare. It targets the most significant causes of chicken suffering in the meat industry.
None of the certification standards used in Australia today require healthier, slower growing chicken breeds. This is a huge problem for chicken welfare.
But change is coming.
How do animal welfare labels stack up to the Better Chicken Commitment?
The Better Chicken Commitment is the global benchmark for chicken welfare. It targets the most significant causes of chicken suffering in the meat industry.
None of the certification standards used in Australia today require healthier, slower growing chicken breeds. This is a huge problem for chicken welfare.
But change is coming.
RSPCA Certified now offers a
slower-growing breed level
The 2026 revised RSPCA Meat Chicken Standard introduces a new certification level which requires healthier, slower growing chicken breeds and provides a pathway to meet the Better Chicken Commitment.
This does not apply to all RSPCA Certified products - only those that meet the requirements of this new level.
No supermarkets or restaurants are sourcing chicken meat certified to RSPCA’s slower-growing breed level - yet.
RSPCA Certified now offers a slower-growing breed level
The 2026 revised RSPCA Meat Chicken Standard introduces a new certification level which requires healthier, slower growing chicken breeds and provides a pathway to meet the Better Chicken Commitment.
This does not apply to all RSPCA Certified products - only those that meet the requirements of this new level.
No supermarkets or restaurants are sourcing chicken meat certified to RSPCA’s slower-growing breed level - yet.
You can help raise standards for animal welfare
Around the world, more and more food businesses, chicken producers, and animal welfare certifiers are adopting the Better Chicken Commitment. It’s time for Australia to do the same.
Visit our action hub to find out the latest ways you can speak up for chickens.
In the meantime, sign up to join thousands of other Australians supporting the Better Chicken Commitment.