In biopharmecutical research (among many users of research models required by law) there is a book called the "Guide for the care and use of Laboratory Animals". Free copy here - > https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/guide-for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratory-animals.pdf
It is for the most part regarding mice and rats and also to a great extent it is how I have seen these rodents cared for by people who use mice and rats as a food source for their pets that eat them.
Keep in mind that is for two very similar species. It is written by vets with much experience and to some extent enforced within the industry as results based on modeling that don't follow those guidelines can be seen as not able to stand up to scrutiny.
Pick one species like Russians, what would the same kinds of guidelines be? For pets much simpler. Back in the day herp societies would offer care sheets to pet shops and use those care sheets in practice at the pet shop, or be the pet shop that members would go out of their way to talk dirt on.
Maybe PetCo and PetSmart would welcome some sort of "we follow blah blah guidelines" in our stores? Both these stores have self policed on many matters and they might do it for this as well.
But what would those guidelines be??? Would they be written by someone with a lifetime of experience? A committee of recognized hobbyists and vets?
It's a tough thing to sort out. Maybe it would be more simple than this and I'm overthinking it?
I don't think you're overthinking it. I was thinking the same thing, but was scared off by the logistics. I'm glad to hear it has worked in certain instances.
Like most things, I think the best course is for someone to just start. Begin by writing a care sheet that addresses the above concerns. Difficult part is figuring out guidelines that are correct, yet are still enticing enough for a chain store to adopt. Would there even be an incentive for them to read it? For the sake of my thought process, let's say yes for now. This could then be presented to people who would give it some credibility and feedback. Vets, turtle/tortoise conservation groups, breeders, etc. Could even be presented to Josh. Certainly, something on the guide that read: backed by the TSA, TC, TTPG, TurtleRoom, TortoiseForum (home to such and such number of chelonian keepers worldwide), and x number of vets would give them better reason to consider it. Obviously, this needs more thought, but let's keep talking about it.