Streamlined documentation improves accessibility and clarity of the MSC standards and assessment process
08 September 2011
The Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Board of Trustees and Technical Advisory Board recently released the improved ‘MSC Certification Requirements’ resulting from a 12 month project to review and consolidate all of the previously existing MSC scheme documentation.
The MSC scheme documents are used by third party certifiers who carry out fishery and supply chain assessments. The need to revise the documents was the result of the rapid evolution of the MSC certification programme over its more than 10 years of operation. In that time over 50 separate documents have been written, all of which contain requirements, guidance or both.
Integrated and streamlined
The aim of the Scheme Document Review was to consolidate and harmonise the multiple documents into one overarching document – the ‘MSC Certification Requirements’ – with a unified and consistent format that would make it easier to read, use and update. The consolidated document will come into effect in November, replacing all of the previous documents.
Not introducing any changes
While this consolidation and revision will dramatically improve the clarity and user-friendliness of the MSC program, importantly, it will not change any requirements, increase workloads of applicants, certificate holders or certifiers, or change opportunities for stakeholders to participate.
Dr David Agnew, MSC Standards Director, said: ‘The purpose of the review was to ensure we have consistent certification requirements for all certifiers to apply in a uniform and controlled manner. The improvements enhance the transparency of the certification scheme and assure long-term continuity of MSC certifications by clearly stating what every certifier must do when carrying out assessments against the MSC’s standards.’
‘Other improvements include the development of a full assessment template designed to standardise fishery assessment reports, which will make it simpler for certifiers and allow better analysis of the results of each assessment, as well as informing MSC’s ongoing monitoring and evaluation program.’
Clear and consistent structure
The MSC Certification Requirements are structured in sequence based on the ISO Guide 65, one of the key documents upon which the MSC certification system is based.
The new document now contains three sections that replace the Accreditation Manual, Fishery Certification Methodology, Fishery Assessment Methodology, Chain of Custody Certification Methodology and Technical Advisory Board (TAB) Directives and Policy Advisories.
- Part A: General requirements for all certifiers
- Part B: Chain of Custody Certification Requirements
- Part C: Fishery Certification Requirements
In addition, a separate document, the Guidance to the MSC Certification Requirements, provides information to help certifiers understand the reason for and application of specific requirements. This includes material such as intent, examples, and interpretations.
Continuous Improvement through consultation
MSC policies are reviewed on an ongoing basis and in consultation with stakeholders. At each meeting of the MSC Technical Advisory Board (TAB) and Board of Trustees, changes to MSC’s assessment requirements and other aspects of the program are considered. All changes approved by the TAB and Board at their most recent meetings in July are listed on the MSC website.
For more information contact: standards@msc.org or sign up for the MSC Policy Update.
