The MSC certification requirements for both fisheries and chain of custody are defined in a series of documents. These documents outline specific requirements, guidelines and methods to enable consistency and compliance in assessments.
Hard copies of documents, including Standards, assessment public summaries and other related materials are made available at a reasonable cost. To request a document, please contact our Standards team.
Controlled List of MSC Certification Program Documents
| Description: | Controlled document list of MSC certification program documents for reference by Conformity Assessment Bodies and Assurance Services International. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 43.00 |
| Date of issue: | 12 February 2024 |
| Date effective: | 12 February 2024 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
Controlled List of MSC Derogations
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Version: | 8.00 |
| Date of issue: | 31 January 2024 |
| Date effective: | 31 January 2024 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
Fisheries certification documents
For fisheries assessed against MSC Fisheries Standard v3.0 and Fisheries Certification Process v3.0
The MSC Fisheries Standard and Guidance v3.0
| Description: | Sets out the requirements a fishery must meet to enable it to claim its fish come from a well-managed and sustainable source. The Guidance is provided to help CABs interpret the Standard. For use with Fisheries Certification Process v3.0. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 3.00 |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
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PDF - 4 MB
PDF - 4 MB
MSC Fisheries Certification Process and Guidance v3.0
| Description: | Sets out the requirements that Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) must follow to assess fisheries against the MSC Fisheries Standard. The Guidance is provided to help CABs interpret the FCP. For use with MSC Fisheries Standard v3.0. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
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PDF - 2 MB
PDF - 2 MB
MSC Fisheries Standard Toolbox v1.1
| Description: | Normative document containing tools to support MSC assessments. For use with FS v3.0 fisheries. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.10 |
| Date of issue: | 17 March 2023 |
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
Download
PDF - 3 MB
PDF - 3 MB
MSC Change Tracker Report – Fisheries Standard 2.01 to 3.0
| Description: | A detailed overview of the changes from Fisheries Standard v2.01 to Fisheries Standard v3.0. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
| Date effective: | 26 October 2022 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
XLSX - 1 MB
MSC Change Tracking Report for Fisheries Certification Process v3.0
| Description: | A detailed overview of the changes from Fisheries Certification Process v2.2 to v2.3 and v3.0. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
| Date effective: | 26 October 2022 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
XLSX - 1 MB
MSC Fisheries Standard 3.0 with tracked changes
| Description: | The MSC Fisheries Standard, version 3.0, showing tracked changes from version 2.01. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
Download
PDF - 5 MB
PDF - 5 MB
For all assessments
MSC-MSCI Vocabulary v1.5
| Description: | This vocabulary defines concepts, terms, phrases and abbreviations used by the MSC and MSCI. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.50 |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 15 May 2023 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Disputes Process v1.1
| Description: | The MSC Disputes Process defines the process for stakeholders, CABs & other parties when there is a dispute about the determination of the CAB in a fishery assessment. Use with FCP v2.2 onwards & any objections process commencing on or after 12 Feb 2024. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.10 |
| Date of issue: | 12 February 2024 |
| Date effective: | 12 February 2024 |
Download
PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Disputes Process v1.01
| Description: | The MSC Disputes Process defines the process for stakeholders, CABs and other parties when there is a dispute about the determination of the CAB in a fishery assessment. For use with Fisheries Certification Process v2.2 onwards. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.01 |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
| Date effective: | 26 October 2022 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Labour Eligibility Requirements v1.0
| Description: | Sets out labour requirements that fisheries and Chain of Custody certificate holders must meet to be eligible for MSC assessment. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.00 |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
Download
PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
For fisheries assessed against MSC Fisheries Standard v2.01 and Fisheries Certification Process v2.3
MSC Fisheries Standard and Guidance v2.01
| Description: | The MSC Fisheries Standard sets out the requirements a fishery must meet to enable it to claim its fish come from a well-managed and sustainable source. The Guidance is provided to help CABs interpret the Standard. For use with Fisheries Certification Process v2.1. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 2.01 |
| Date of issue: | 31 August 2018 |
| Date effective: | 28 February 2019 |
Download
PDF - 3 MB
PDF - 3 MB
MSC Fisheries Certification Process and Guidance v2.3
| Description: | The MSC Fisheries Certification Process (FCP) sets out the requirements that Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) must follow to assess fisheries against the MSC Fisheries Standard. The Guidance is provided to help CABs interpret the FCP. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 2.30 |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
Download
PDF - 3 MB
PDF - 3 MB
General Certification Requirements
MSC General Certification Requirements v2.6
| Description: | Sets out requirements for Conformity Assessment Bodies assessing or auditing Fisheries and Chain of Custody businesses. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 2.60 |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 01 November 2023 |
Download
PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC General Certification Requirements 2.6 Tracked Changes
| Description: | The MSC General Certification Requirements, version 2.6, showing tracked changes from version 2.5. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 2.60 |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 01 November 2023 |
Download
PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Rules on Unacceptable Conduct v1.0
| Description: | Sets out the review process and steps to be taken when the MSC identifies unacceptable conduct in relation to a certificate or applicant. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.00 |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
| Date effective: | 26 October 2022 |
Download
PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
More for CABs
Supporting documents
Forms, templates and other supporting materials for certifiers and clients.
Translated program documents
Translated resources for Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) accredited to carry out MSC Fisheries and Chain of Custody Standard assessments.
Chain of Custody program documents
The MSC Chain of Custody Standard and the General Certification Requirements. For certifiers and clients.