ICAR certification explained: what it means when a pet microchip is certified
ICAR certification confirms a microchip meets the ISO identification standard scanners rely on worldwide. Here is what that does and does not guarantee for pet owners.
The International Committee for Animal Recording formulates standards for identification, performance recording and genetic evaluation, which numerous national and breed-specific systems make use of. It is not a widely known name, but its standards quietly form the basis of how animal recording is carried out across many countries.
ICAR's origins lie in livestock recording, but its identification and data standards hold relevance well beyond that origin, informing how modern pet identification and pedigree systems approach consistency and interoperability.
Its origins lie in livestock recording, but its identification and data standards inform recording systems more broadly, including approaches used in companion animal identification.
National recording bodies, breed associations and identification system developers refer to ICAR standards in order to keep their own systems consistent and interoperable.
ICAR certification confirms a microchip meets the ISO identification standard scanners rely on worldwide. Here is what that does and does not guarantee for pet owners.