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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: 45.00
Date of issue: 29 November 2024
Date effective: 29 November 2024
Download download file PDF - 1 MB
Controlled List of MSC Derogations
Language: English
Version: 9.00
Date of issue: 22 July 2024
Date effective: 22 July 2024
Download download file PDF - 1 MB

Fisheries certification documents

For fisheries assessed against MSC Fisheries Standard v3.1 and Fisheries Certification Process v3.1

MSC Fisheries Standard and Guidance version 3.1
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 v3.1.
Language: English
Version: 3.10
Date of issue: 22 July 2024
Date effective: 22 July 2024
Download download file PDF - 4 MB
MSC Fisheries Certification Process version 3.1
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 v3.1.
Language: English
Version: 3.10
Date of issue: 22 July 2024
Date effective: 22 July 2024
Download download file PDF - 2 MB
MSC Fisheries Standard Toolbox version 1.2
Description: Normative document containing tools to support MSC assessments. For use with FS v3.1 fisheries.
Language: English
Version: 1.20
Date of issue: 22 July 2024
Date effective: 22 July 2024
Download download file PDF - 3 MB

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
Download download file 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
Download download file 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 download file PDF - 3 MB
MSC Change Tracker Report – Fisheries Standard v2.01 to v3.0/v3.1
Description: A detailed overview of the changes from Fisheries Standard v2.01 to Fisheries Standard v3.0/v3.1.
Language: English
Date of issue: 26 October 2022
Date effective: 26 October 2022
Download download file 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
Download download file 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 download file PDF - 5 MB

For all assessments

MSC-MSCI Vocabulary v1.6
Description: This vocabulary defines concepts, terms, phrases and abbreviations used by the MSC and MSCI.
Language: English
Version: 1.60
Date of issue: 22 July 2024
Date effective: 22 July 2024
Download download file 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 download file 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
Download download file 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 download file 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 download file 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 download file 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 download file 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 download file 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 download file PDF - 1 MB