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 develops standards for identification, performance recording and genetic evaluation that a good number of national and breed-specific systems build on. It's not a household name here, but its standards quietly underpin how animal recording works in a lot of countries.
ICAR began in livestock recording, but its identification and data standards carry relevance well beyond that, shaping how modern pet identification and pedigree systems handle consistency and interoperability.
Its roots are in livestock recording, but its identification and data standards inform recording systems more broadly, including how companion animals are identified.
National recording bodies, breed associations and identification system developers reference ICAR standards to keep their systems consistent and interoperable with each other.
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.