Abstract: The hierarchy of international and national standards and guidelines that dairy farmers can apply to ensure milk quality and safety is presented. At the moment, ISO standards on quality management (ISO 9000) and food safety management (ISO 22000) are too exacting for the average farm. Farmers will continue for some time to achieve good practices as described in broad terms by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Dairy Federation and the World Organization for Animal Health and adapted in more practical and specific terms by national governments and/or farmer associations.