Get certified online - pilot project
Online assessment has been developed to make sure that independent restaurants can reap the rewards that certification and use of the MSC ecolabel can bring.
Online assessment is currently being trialled - Find out if you are eligible to take part in the online assessment pilot project
What does an online assessment involve?
The online assessment makes the same checks as a conventional assessment, but instead of the auditor visiting your restaurant, you’ll need to fill in an online questionnaire about your business and upload evidence of your traceability systems, for example, photographs of MSC fish in your fridges, notes on staff briefings and staff training logs. The auditor checks the uploaded evidence remotely rather than visiting your restaurant. Online assessment involves more work for you or your team, but will cost less for the same job.
How long will it take me to get certified online?
We estimate it takes 2-6 weeks to get certified online, but you can move through the online process at your own speed.
What is the pilot project for online assessment?
The online assessment process is currently being trialled. This pilot will be used to refine the online assessment system and to allow MSC to offer this service in other countries over the coming years.
The pilot is open to the first 50 restaurants in each of the UK and the Netherlands that sign up.
The pilot certificates are valid for 1 year. In the unlikely event that we discontinue online assessment, restaurants certified during the pilot would have to go for conventional assessment next year. In the likely event that online assessment continues, restaurants certified during the pilot will be issued with a further 2 year certificate on their surveillance audit.
What will happen after the pilot project is complete?
Restaurants participating in the pilot will be asked for feedback by MSC to help with the development of this innovative new system.
We intend to relaunch online assessment in 2012 in both countries following feedback from the trials, and to make it available in more countries in the future.
Take the next step
Check your eligibility and register to take part in an Online Assessment
Not eligible? You can still get certified through a conventional assessment.
