Record policies

We do not monitor any records that could potentially endanger or harm animals. This includes any records in which the animals would have to be put to greater stress to achieve a new record, such as endurance records, or records which include any level of danger for the animal. For all animal records, the animal must do the attempt without any physical contact with their owner/trainer. Any attempts that would require physical prompts from the owner/trainer are not allowed.

Sedation

Guinness World Records accepts measurements made while an animal is sedated for ‘longest tongue records’ ONLY if sedation is part of a standard medical procedure that has been recommended by a veterinary professional. Sedation of an animal for the sole purpose of record-breaking, or for any other record title will not be accepted. 

Inbreeding

Inbreeding has historically been used to exaggerate extremes in animal conformation (body shape, structure, or appearance). This practice has led to the suffering of many animals, due to their extreme conformation, which compromises welfare. Promoting sensible breeding practices ensures we maintain the health of future generations and taking a welfare-focused approach helps to eliminate health problems associated with some breed/species standards. This ensures animals lead full and pain-free lives. Society, including brands such as Guinness World Records, must accept responsibility and promote improvements in breeding practices to protect animals from exploitation.

Cosmetic procedures on animals

Any record attempts involving animals, must show the animal with a completely natural appearance and animals must not wear any attire (clothing, jewellery, collars etc.) or have received any coat modifications (dying, painting etc.) beyond standard grooming. Guinness World Records hold the right to reject any claims made where an animal displays the following cosmetic alterations; ear cropping, taping & splinting, tail docking, debarking and declawing. Historical justifications (rescued animals, medical interventions, licenced working animals) can be given and verified by the attending veterinarian, but acceptance of an application is at the final discretion of Guinness World Records. Alterations made by a breeder before the purchase of an animal, or ‘breed standards’ will not be accepted as reasonable justification. 

Fishing records

Guinness World Records recognises claims for ‘Heaviest fish caught’ retrospectively, within federated competitions, verified by the International Game Fish Association. Claims made outside of federated fishing competition will not be accepted, and Guinness World Records holds the right to reject any claims made without suitable verification or association rules and regulations.  

We require any record relating to food to follow strict policies regarding food consumption and donation.

We require all our records involving larger quantities of food to adhere to the following rules:

1. The challenger must demonstrate that the food has been prepared according to local food hygiene standard laws - for example, by preparing the food in the presence of an appropriate inspector.
2. The food needs to be kept in hygienic conditions throughout the attempt of the record. This must be confirmed by the inspector, who must state in their report that the food was safe to eat at the point at which the food was distributed.
3. Where the food is prepared in a commercial kitchen, copies of the food hygiene certification of that kitchen must be provided.
4. After the attempt, the food items must be divided and distributed or donated for general consumption by humans. It is the responsibility of the challenger to demonstrate to Guinness World Records that all efforts to distribute the food to humans have been taken.
5. Prior to the attempt, the challenger must submit their plans for food distribution to Guinness World Records for pre-approval.

Any records relating to the processing of meat/seafood must follow strict policies regarding animal welfare. We require all our records involving meat/seafood products to adhere to the following rules:

1. No live animals are to be consumed or killed during a record attempt.
2. Any meat/seafood products used must be commercially available.
3. Any meat/seafood products used must be processed/dead/pre-cooked prior to the attempt taking place.

Guinness World Records is an apolitical organisation, determined to protect the integrity of our records by remaining politically neutral. Therefore, we do not accept record applications which we consider to be politically motivated and we reserve the right to reject or cancel a record application should we deem it to promote a political agenda.

Guinness World Records no longer accepts applications or creates new record titles that are related to the consumption, preparation or use of tobacco, cannabis or nicotine products.