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This guide aims to give you an overview of what to expect from the Chain of Custody certification process.
Any seafood sold with the MSC blue fish tick needs to be traceable from ocean to plate. For this to work, every company along the supply chain needs to be certified to the MSC Chain of Custody Standard. The Standard ensures an unbroken chain where certified seafood is identifiable, segregated and traceable. If your company takes ownership of MSC certified seafood products and wants to sell them as certified, you need Chain of Custody certification.
If your company wants to sell certified seafood to consumers you will also need to apply to use the MSC label.
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Assessments are conducted by accredited independent certifiers - Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs). Full list of CABs for MSC assessments.
Certifiers will audit your business to ensure
The time and cost of your assessment will vary depending on the complexity and size of your organisation as well as your certifier's rates and travel expenses.
We recommend that you get quotes from more than one accredited certifier.
Preparing well for your audit can also help to reduce time and costs.
The MSC Chain of Custody Standard includes different requirements to meet the needs of different types of business.
There are three versions of the Standard and we provide guides for each. If you're unsure, your certifier or a member of MSC staff can help you decide which version is best for your business.
Default Chain of Custody is for companies operating in one or a few locations.
Examples of businesses that are eligible for Default certification:
Group Chain of Custody is for businesses with a central office function and many locations distributing, processing or trading MSC certified seafood.
Examples of businesses that are eligible for Group certification:
Consumer-Facing Organisation Chain of Custody is for most businesses selling direct to consumers.
Examples of businesses that are eligible for Consumer-Facing Organisation certification:
Businesses with more than one site can be certified to this version of the Standard if all of the following apply:
Watch our videos on Chain of Custody Certification program for restaurants and for fresh fish counters.
Your certification lasts for three years. During this time you will have regular surveillance audits.
Audits are usually once a year, but the frequency depends on the version of the Standard your company is certified to. The process is similar to your initial assessment. An auditor will check you're maintaining the correct procedures to identify, segregate, control, manage and trace MSC certified seafood.
Some certifiers offer combined audits with other programs, so you may be able to schedule an MSC audit with another.
There is a small chance that your company will receive an unannounced audit. Each certifier must conduct unannounced audits for at least 1% of their clients.
To use the label you will also require an ecolabel licence agreement.Upon certification, your business will receive a certificate and a Chain of Custody code. With this code you can apply to use the blue MSC label.
You can find suppliers around the world with MSC Chain of Custody certificates using our Find a supplier directory
We have commercial outreach colleagues around the world who can help with getting your business certified to sell fish and seafood with the MSC blue fish tick label.
When you have Chain of Custody certification you're part of a global network of traceable, sustainable seafood supplies.
Show your customers your fish comes from a sustainable source by using the MSC blue fish tick label. Find out how to show your commitment to certified sustainable seafood.
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