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The MSC’s Data Validation API (Application Programming Interface) is a new tool that will allow organisations to validate the certified status of fisheries, supply chain businesses, or products digitally and automatically.
The API will allow organisations to connect their software systems to the MSC's databases, allowing them to automatically validate the certified status of fisheries, businesses, or products.
Prior to the introduction of the API, organizations seeking to validate the certified status of fisheries and supply chain businesses had to do this manually by searching MSC’s Track a Fishery and Find a Supplier databases. The new API will eliminate the need for these manual searches, as well as allowing organisations to validate whether an MSC labelled consumer product is registered and approved with the MSC.
The MSC's Track a Fishery and Find a Supplier websites will continue to be updated and publicly available. MSC’s Data Validation API is an optional service, not a requirement.
The data available via MSC’s Data Validation API will allow stakeholders to:
Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified farms/Chain of Custody certified businesses or products: Currently, the Data Validation API is not available to validate data for the ASC. However, this service may become available in the future. Please contact your local ASC Outreach if you are interested in this service.
Note: the Data Validation API is used to validate information. It is not used to verify compliance with the MSC Chain of Custody (CoC) or Fishery certifications. This is still wholly reliant on the Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) that conduct MSC audits. If the CAB changes the certificate status as an outcome of an audit, this is reflected in the certificate status and validated via the Data Validation API.
Any organisation looking to validate claims on MSC certified fisheries, supply chains, or products can use the MSC’s Data Validation API. Interested parties will be required to sign a license agreement (or licensing annex for an existing Ecolabel License Agreement holder with the MSC) and submit information on usage of the tool and any use of the MSC ecolabel for approval. Businesses that are interested in using MSC’s Data Validation API must also have technical support and/or knowledge on API setup and implementation.
Examples of businesses that may benefit from using the Data Validation API:
Use of the MSC's trademark including the MSC ecolabel, 'Marine Stewardship Council', and 'MSC' must be in line with the MSC's Ecolabel User Guide and supporting guidelines. Consumer products may only be featured as MSC certified if they are registered and approved with MSCI. For B2B use of the MSC ecolabel, certified fisheries and Chain of Custody certified businesses may be featured with an active certificate status; the API cannot validate status of non-consumer facing products. All use of the MSC ecolabel and MSC claims must be approved by the MSC/MSCI. If you have any questions on your specific use, please contact your regional MSC outreach team.
Show your customers your fish comes from a sustainable source by using the MSC label. Find out how to show your commitment to certified sustainable seafood.
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