MSC standards
When you see the MSC ecolabel, you can be sure that the seafood bearing the label comes from a certified sustainable fishery. It is the MSC standards that define the performance needed for fisheries to be certified as sustainable and for businesses to trade in certified seafood.
The MSC has 2 standards, for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. Fisheries and seafood businesses voluntarily seek certification against the relevant standards, which meet the world's best practice guidelines for certification and ecolabelling.
MSC environmental standard for sustainable fishing
Fisheries can demonstrate that their practices are sustainable and access market benefits by getting certified to the MSC standard for sustainable fishing.
MSC chain of custody standard for seafood traceability
When seafood is sold with the MSC ecolabel every business in the supply chain must have undertaken a detailed traceability audit against the MSC Chain of Custody standard. This ensures that only seafood from a certified sustainable fishery is sold with the MSC label.
Third party certification
Assessments against both MSC standards are carried out by independently accredited certifiers. The MSC's ‘third-party’ approach ensures our certification and ecolabelling program is robust, credible and meets best practice guidelines.
