Eligibility and criteria

How To Apply For A Good Chicken Award

To apply for a good chicken award you will need to be a well-known or notable food company that can satisfy the criteria below

Applying in Europe

Companies applying for a Good Chicken Award in Europe must meet the following criteria:

1. A valid public sign up to the European Chicken Commitment (ECC)
   • For sign-ups before 1st January 2024, compliance needs to be achieved by 31st December 2026
   • For sign-ups after 1st January 2024, compliance needs to be achieved within 5 years of signing up
2. Significant progress in the implementation of the ECC*
3. Publicly available timelines for transition to ECC compliant products
4. Annual public progress reporting towards the ECC

* significant progress = at least 50% of the total volume of fresh and frozen chicken already compliant with the on-farm criteria of the ECC (stocking density, breed, natural light, enrichment)

Applying in North America

Companies applying for a Good Chicken Award in North America must meet the following criteria:

1. A valid public sign up to the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) within a maximum of 5 years
2. Demonstrate progress in the implementation of the BCC
   • Achieve full compliance with the enrichment criteria of the BCC (litter, lighting, enrichment)
   • Demonstrate good progress on at least one of the other 3 criteria of the BCC (stocking density, breed, CAS)
3. Publicly available timelines for transition to BCC compliant products
4. Annual public progress reporting towards the BCC

Applying in other regions

Companies applying for a Good Chicken Award in other regions of the world (i.e. outside Europe and North America) must meet the following criteria:

1. A valid public sign up to the Better Chicken Commitment** within a maximum of 5 years
2. Publicly available timelines for transition to BCC compliant products
3. Annual public progress reporting towards the BCC

**Better Chicken in accordance with the ECC criteria.

You can view the full European Chicken Commitment criteria here.

You can view the full Better Chicken Commitment criteria here

How to apply

Companies can apply via their engagement with the Food Business team and on completion of an application form signed at Director level.

Retailers can apply for their own label (fresh, frozen and processed) chicken range only, and may exclude branded goods.

Manufacturers/producers can apply for a specific brand under the following conditions:

• Europe and North America: application based on current policy for that brand PLUS overarching commitment for all the company’s own brand production
• Other regions of the world: a commitment at brand level can be accepted.

Where an application is made on a commitment basis, Compassion will remain in contact with award winners over the commitment period, to assess progress made and provide continued support. 

If you would like to apply for an award please contact the Food Business team.

Find out more about broiler chicken welfare

• Read more about higher welfare broiler chicken production here.
• Explore all our broiler chicken resources here.