New standards Q&A

The implementation date for the standards has been extended to 11 July 2025. All standards will come into effect from 11 July 2025 unless otherwise stated within a standard.

This means members can continue to use the current 2017 version until 10 July 2025, giving them time to familiarise themselves with the latest updates. The final edition of the standards was emailed to members on 11 April 2025 in a notification letter. We also posted a printed copy for your records.

Over the last year, we’ve been collaborating with both our members and the wider laying hen industry to address concerns with implementing the RSPCA’s new laying hen welfare standards - in particular, natural daylight.

To provide our valued members with practical solutions and support in meeting the standards, we made the decision last year to pause the implementation date whilst we worked to find a positive solution.

The RSPCA’s welfare standards for laying hens have now been published (2025), with the final requirements related to natural daylight (2025). The new standard will tie in with members’ planned refurbishment cycles to ensure it is more practical and achievable for producers whilst still progressing hen welfare.

Key standards related to natural daylight are as follows:

• Free-range members must provide 3% natural daylight to hens at the time of refurbishment cycles or by 1 January 2035*, whichever is sooner.
• When carrying out planned internal refurbishments, free-range members must include the extension of pop holes or light inlets (i.e. windows) within the current structural framework of the house to meet 3% natural daylight.
• From 1 October 2025, free-range members who are building a new house or conducting major structural refurbishments to an existing house must provide 3% natural daylight through windows. This is in addition to the natural daylight provided through pop holes.
• From 1 October 2025, all free-range hens** must have access to natural daylight through their pop holes during housing orders (e.g. in the event of AI outbreaks). To achieve this, producers could put clear material (e.g. acrylic) over pop holes, rather than closing them, when birds need to be housed during the natural daylight period. If hens are placed before 1st October, members can wait until they depopulate and place the next flock to meet this requirement.
• For barn houses, 3% natural daylight must be provided by windows by 1 May 2032, whilst any newly built barn houses after 1 October 2025 must meet this requirement.

We look forward to supporting our members in achieving these over the coming years. Members who need advice or have any questions about meeting the standard can contact RSPCA Assured’s farming and technical engagement team, who will be happy to help.

*The RSPCA and RSPCA Assured’s driving priority is to support all members in achieving the standard by 2035. If 3% minimum natural daylight cannot be reasonably and realistically achieved through refurbishment by 2035, a five-year derogation will be available for members to apply for - if they can commit to refurbishing to 3% natural daylight by 2040. Any member granted a derogation will be subject to certain conditions.

We understand through our discussions with members and the industry that the vast majority of our members will be able to achieve the new standard. However, if 3% minimum natural daylight cannot be reasonably and realistically achieved through refurbishment by 2035, a five-year derogation will be available for members to apply for - if they can commit to refurbishing to 3% natural daylight by 2040. Any member granted a derogation will be subject to certain conditions. For example, providing updates at regular intervals and a clear plan on how the standard will be met by 2040.

The RSPCA and RSPCA Assured’s driving priority is to support all members in achieving the standard by 2035, however, the full terms and conditions for the derogation will be provided nearer the time.

The RSPCA and RSPCA Assured’s driving priority is to support members in achieving the standard by 2035. However, if it cannot be reasonably and realistically achieved, for example, if a member does not have a planned refurbishment by this date, then a derogation may be available. Members will not be able to apply for a derogation until June 2034.

In June 2034, any members needing to apply for a derogation for a five-year extension should contact help@rspcaassured.org.uk. They will then be asked to complete a pro forma outlining the reason for their request. This will be reviewed by RSPCA Assured, with input from the RSPCA, to ensure the request is reasonable and that sufficient information has been provided before a final decision is made by the scheme.

Any member granted a derogation will be subject to certain conditions. For example, providing updates at regular intervals and a clear plan on how the standard will be met by 2040. The full terms and conditions for the derogation will be made nearer the time.

Natural daylight is very important for hen welfare, but it is not commonly provided to laying hens when housed in barns in the UK. It is also only provided through open popholes to free-range hens. Hens have a preference for natural daylight, which is particularly good for their welfare as it allows them to experience their whole visual light spectrum to keep them stimulated, happy and healthy. It also encourages a range of activities, such as foraging, preening and dustbathing. Providing an environment with more natural daylight also enables birds to utilise their full visual light spectrum.

For free-range birds, natural daylight encourages them to range by minimising the differences between the inside and outside environment. It also helps to reduce incidents of injurious pecking.

Read the RSPCA’s summary of research on the benefits of natural daylight for laying hens.

For the purpose of this standard, the RSPCA are classifying an ‘internal refurbishment’ as:

• An internal system change, such as the replacement of an existing multi-tier system with a new multi-tier system or any change that results in a system being removed and then returned, e.g. the replacement of nest boxes.
• Any change to the system that results in an increase in bird numbers (e.g. the replacement of an existing flat deck system with a multi-tier system within the existing building structure).
• The refurbishment of equipment in an existing building to extend it for the addition of a new house.

An internal refurbishment does not include the replacement of accessories such as drinkers, feeders, perches, or ventilation and lighting systems.

Members who are unsure whether a planned refurbishment meets the requirements of this standard can contact RSPCA Assured’s farming and technical engagement team, who will be happy to help.

To provide our members with the best support possible over the last year, RSPCA also made other amendments to the original laying hen standards (announced in November 2023) and clarified others. These updates are as follows:

General implementation date

The implementation date for the standards has been extended from 1 February 2025 to 11 July 2025. This means members can continue to use the current 2017 version until 10 July 2025, giving them time to familiarise themselves with the latest updates.

The new standards will come into effect from 11 July 2025 unless otherwise stated within the standard.

Fences on the range

Standard R 1.12: The standards no longer require fences on the range to have a gap of 45cm underneath them. In line with the Egg Marketing Inspection (EMI) free-range assessment guidance, the standards will now require that any fencing or restrictions on the range must not inhibit the hens’ ability to access the range area. These changes ensure that the standard is achievable for a variety of different farm setups.

Pophole base height

Standard R 3.5 a): The standards previously stated for existing buildings that ‘where the base of a pophole is more than 40cm from the house floor, ramps or platforms must be provided’. We have now increased this by 5cm (to 45cm) in line with the industry standard pophole base height. The RSPCA will continue to proactively communicate with manufacturers when developing future standards involving building design.

Standard R 3.5 a): The standards previously stated for newly approved buildings that ‘the base of the pophole must not be more than 20cm’. We have now increased this by 5cm (to 25cm) pophole base height.

We have also added an information box to standard R 3.5 b): This information box states that this standard does not currently apply to newly approved buildings where at least one of the following conditions applied prior to 11 July 2025 and can be clearly evidenced:

• an existing written contract with an egg packer is already in place
• planning permission has already been submitted to erect the building(s)
• significant capital has been invested into the affected building(s) or its infrastructure

Management

Standard M 6.1: The RSPCA are concerned for all species' welfare and includes standards for wild animal control in all of the farmed animal species standards. The standards require a written Wild Animal Control Plan (WACP) that must be:

1. in place, and
2. implemented on the farm.

Standard M 6.7: Long-term baiting was previously not permitted. However, we have explained that the CRRU guidelines are expected to be followed and alternative measures put in place to reduce the need for long-term baiting as a routine control method. We are aware that in some cases, long-term baiting may be required; however, this must not be done routinely.

Domestic animals

Standard M 6.19 previously stated that domestic animals must not have access to the unit other than farm dogs and cats. This standard has now been reworded to clarify that it refers specifically to the inside of the poultry building.

Standard M 6.21 Previously stated that farm dogs and cats must be:

1. in a healthy condition
2. regularly wormed (record to be kept in the medicine book or VHWP).

This standard has also been reworded to make it clear that this only applies to farm dogs and cats that may be able to enter the areas where the birds will be. The goal of this standard is not to identify unhealthy dogs and cats.

Natural cover

Standard R 5.1: The implementation date for the provision of 20% natural cover has been extended for an additional year from 1 May 2026 to 1 May 2027 to allow members two full planting seasons to grow the required trees and shrubs.

However, we are aware that in some regions, it’s difficult to grow trees and shrubs. Members in this situation are encouraged to raise this with our farming and technical engagement team so we can advise on arranging for an independent expert review and provide advice on alternatives that will work for their specific environment.

We will also provide members with examples of natural cover and help guide them on how to implement the standard. We’ll develop these with the help of the producer working group.

Distance from popholes to range perimeter

Standard R 1.11 previously stated that ’Newly approved buildings must have at least one third of the popholes with a minimum distance of 20m directly opposite to the perimeter of the range. ’ This standard has been amended, and an information box added, to clarify that it does not currently apply to newly approved buildings where at least one of the following conditions applied prior to 11 July 2025 and can be clearly evidenced:

• An existing written contract with an egg packer is already in place
• Planning permission has already been submitted to erect the building(s)
• Significant capital has been invested into the affected building(s) or its infrastructure

Verandas

New build free-range members are no longer required to install verandas. Existing free-range members were never required to install verandas.

Verandas must be installed on all barn buildings by no later than 1 May 2030.

Shade and shelter

Standard R 2.1: Shade/shelter must be distributed at a minimum distribution of four shelters per hectare.

This is to encourage birds to range further and utilise the whole range. The standards require suitable shelter distribution in all free-range areas.

More generally, we had several queries about information boxes, so we wanted to clarify their purpose and intention. Information boxes are used in the standards to provide additional information about a standard and to sign post areas that we may be looking at in the future.

All amendments to the August 2017 version of the standards.

Our members are fundamental in helping us to improve hen welfare. Over the last few months, in conjunction with colleagues in the RSPCA, we have been meeting regularly with industry and our members to discuss any concerns and barriers to implementing the new standards. After carefully listening to feedback, the decision was made to make adjustments to the laying hen standards to support members whilst improving hen welfare.

The RSPCA follows a formal consultation process when developing new standards to utilise the knowledge and expertise of the farming industry, veterinarians, and animal welfare and production research scientists. This ensures that the standards continually progress farmed animal welfare whilst remaining stretching yet achievable for producers.

It’s also really important to both the RSPCA and RSPCA Assured that we are available to listen if members or the wider industry raise concerns about a new standard. Collaboration and working together is essential for improving the lives of farmed animals.

Adding an extended timeline brings the industry with us on our mission to improve welfare on farms and ensures these important changes happen. If members leave the scheme, we would no longer be able to help those animals.

Please visit our understanding natural daylight page for detailed information on the natural daylight requirement.

Please visit our understanding verandas page for detailed information on the veranda requirement.

Please visit our understanding natural cover page for detailed information on the natural cover requirement

If you need additional in-person support with the new standards, please visit our support page.