Normative text
ESTCA-STD-001
European Standard for Travel with Canine Animals
The controlled normative text defines scope, roles, definitions, the welfare baseline for participating dogs, trainer accreditation, the five areas of behavioural assessment, certification and the public register, the verification API for airlines, the trainer accountability ladder, and airline implementation guidance. Always refer to the PDF for legal and operational detail.
Contents
Structure of the standard
Part A — Scope, roles & definitions
Applicability of the standard, key actors (ESTCA Association, accredited trainers, certification platform, airlines) and normative definitions used throughout.
Part B — Welfare baseline for participating dogs
Minimum welfare requirements every dog must meet before entering the assessment process, including veterinary health clearance and temperament suitability.
Part C — Trainer accreditation
Eligibility criteria, theoretical examination, code of conduct, insurance & liability requirements, and the annual re-accreditation cycle.
Part D — Five areas of behavioural assessment
Foundation behaviour, settled in confined space, environmental resilience, equipment & handler interaction, and integrated travel readiness.
Part E — Certification, register & verification
Issuance of ESTCA certificates, the public register, the programmatic verification API for airlines, and the renewal process.
Part F — Quality assurance & accountability
Complaints handling, quality review, and the trainer accountability ladder including caution, suspension and revocation.
Part G — Airline implementation guidance
Advisory guidance for airlines integrating ESTCA verification into booking, check-in or compliance workflows. Airlines retain final operational authority.
Annexes
Certification platform
Trainer accreditation and certification issuance currently take place on certified-estca.eu, the sole operational platform recognised by ESTCA Association at the date of this revision.