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.
ICAR
ICAR sets the standards a lot of other systems are built on
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.
Its scope reaches well past the farm gate
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.
Is ICAR only relevant to livestock and farming?
Its roots are in livestock recording, but its identification and data standards inform recording systems more broadly, including how companion animals are identified.
Who uses ICAR standards day to day?
National recording bodies, breed associations and identification system developers reference ICAR standards to keep their systems consistent and interoperable with each other.