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These guidelines set out the basic rules on how to use the MSC label on product packaging, restaurant menus, fish counters and promotional material.
The MSC label comprises of six features, which may not be separated from each other or altered in any way:
Every MSC labelled product must carry a Chain of Custody code following the format of MSC-C-xxxxx that refers to the producer of the product. It can be displayed anywhere on your materials and must be readable. The code will be provided by your certifier or certified supplier.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that the product has been correctly registered with the MSC, under a valid licence.
The MSC claim must accompany the MSC label. You can choose from the following claim text versions.
The claim should be shown in the language(s) of the country where the product or material is sold or published.
See the full list of MSC claim translations
The MSC is not responsible for validating any additional claims, legal requirements or other labelling guidelines.
The MSC label is available in two formats: vertical (portrait) and horizontal (landscape).
If you are using the MSC label on top of an image or dark coloured background use the version with the white trademark symbol (TM). For light or white backgrounds use the standard version of the TM symbol in blue.
Consumers recognise and look for the 'blue fish label'. It is important that you use the correct version of the MSC blue colour to ensure consistency, trust and recognition. In exceptional circumstances such as if your packaging is black and white, or the same Pantone blue, you may use the solid monotone version. But be advised this will affect consumer recognition.
The white keyline which outlines the fish checkmark and the MSC label as a whole must always be displayed. No other colour may be used.
The minimum size for the horizontal label is 10mm H x 26.1mm WThe minimum size for the vertical label is 14mm W x 18.8mm H
Always make sure you scale the MSC label up or down proportionately.
There is no maximum size restriction for display of the MSC label or its variations.
When the MSC label is produced at its minimum size the clear space around it must be:
When the MSC label is reproduced at larger sizes it must be surrounded by a minimum clear space at 10% of the label height (vertical) or width (horizontal). Always allow as much space as possible.
Use the logo files supplied when you request to use our label. Make sure that the MSC label and Marine Stewardship Council's name are never displayed in a way that:
Do not modify our logo or attempt to create the MSC label yourself. Do not:
When using the MSC label on packaging, each product label should display the MSC label, chain of custody code and relevant claim.
The acronym MSC or the Marine Stewardship Council are not allowed on their own. You may not use images of non-certified species or non-certified fishing activity on product packaging. The trade name of a product should not refer to non-certified species.
To be able to promote your dish as MSC certified its seafood content must be at least 95 per cent MSC certified. When designing your menu, we’ve provided 4 options as a starting point.
Place the MSC oval next to your MSC certified dishes and use the standard label as a key. The Chain of Custody code of your restaurant or catering firm and the MSC claim: 'Seafood with this mark comes from an MSC certified sustainable fishery. www.msc.org' can be placed anywhere on the menu.
Use the initials ‘MSC’ for identifying your MSC certified dishes and the standard label as a key. The Chain of Custody code of your restaurant or catering firm and the MSC claim: 'Seafood with this mark comes from an MSC certified sustainable fishery. www.msc.org' can be placed anywhere on the menu.
Use the MSC oval as both, indicator next to your MSC certified dishes and key. The Chain of Custody code of your restaurant or catering firm and the MSC claim: 'Seafood with this mark comes from an MSC certified sustainable fishery. www.msc.org' can be placed anywhere on the menu. You may also use a black and white or black and white inverted oval when choosing option 3.
To explain which species on your menu are MSC certified without using the oval indicator, display the standard label with specific claim identifying MSC certified species. Your Chain of Custody code and the MSC claim: 'All our [species] comes from an MSC certified sustainable fishery. www.msc.org’ can be placed anywhere on the menu.
When promoting MSC certified seafood at your fresh fish counter, each price tag should display the MSC label, claim and chain of custody code.
You may use a sticker or clip to attach the MSC elements to the price tag.
If there’s not enough space, you can display the MSC label on the price tag and place a poster or display stand at your fish counter showing the MSC label, claim and chain of custody code.
If you would like to identify a product as MSC certified by using a fish tag, band or similar mark, specific rules apply:
As a consumer-facing product, a tagged seafood item can be sold by a retailer without the retailer needing to have MSC Chain of Custody certification.
Seafood products may only be promoted as MSC certified sustainable if they:
When using imagery of fishing vessels, please note that these are considered part of the certification and need to accurately represent the fishing method of the advertised species.
Example one: if your company sells MSC certified and non-certified seafood or publishes materials that refer to both the MSC label must be accompanied by supporting text to make it clear to consumers which products are MSC certified.
Example two: if your materials refer to MSC certified products only, or all seafood sold by your company is MSC labelled, you may use the MSC label without additional explanatory text. It must be accompanied by the Chain of Custody code of your company – if it exists.
On price lists and catalogues you can choose to use the standard MSC label or the MSC oval, specifically designed for list views.
Place the MSC label or MSC oval next to your products that are MSC certified. As a key, please use the standard MSC label with explanatory text: ‘Seafood with this mark comes from an MSC certified sustainable fishery. www.msc.org’ and – if it exists – Chain of Custody code of your company on the price list or catalogue.
If you would like to promote your organisation’s Chain of Custody certification without making any reference to specific products, you must use the MSC label with supporting text and your Chain of Custody code.
“We are MSC certified. Look for the blue MSC label.”
We do allow room for flexibility (eg. due to space constraints) providing the meaning is not lost.
When using the MSC label with supporting text, the text must be adjacent to and clearly associated with the label.
You may develop your own wording to accompany the MSC label, providing you seek approval from the MSC before publishing.
Independent research by Globescan shows that simlpy labelling or communicating is not enough to change consumer behaviour. By doing both, you can grow consumer loyalty and trust. To help, we provide year round opportunities to get involved in campaigns, toolkits and inspiration, money can't buy assets and messaging advice. View the MSC Multimedia Library
A product should always display the Chain of Custody code (CoC code) of the owner of the seafood at the time of placing the product into its MSC labelled packaging.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that the product has been correctly registered with the MSC’s Licensing Team, under a valid licence.
Scenario 1: Processor placing product into MSC labelled packaging under processor or retail own brand, sells to retailer = CoC code on packaging: Processor’s
Scenario 2: Processor sells non MSC labelled seafood to retailer that applies label on fish counter or processes in-store = CoC code on packaging: Retailer’s
Scenario 3: Processor sells non-MSC labelled seafood to restaurant that applies label on menu = CoC code on menu: Restaurant’s
Scenario 4: Contract caterer operates the canteen of a commercial client and places the label on menu with the consent of the client = CoC code on menu: Contract caterer’s
The licence holder is the company that is the owner of the seafood at the time the MSC label is applied.
The licence holder is responsible for annual fee and royalty payments.
Note: if the processor does not want to be the licence holder, the brand owner needs to seek permission from the MSC's Licensing Team to be the licence holder.
Scenario 1: Processor places product into MSC labelled packaging (under processor or retail own brand) and sells to retailer = The processor is the licensee
Scenario 2: Subcontractor places product into MSC labelled packaging on behalf of the processor = The processor is the licensee
Scenario 3: Processor places product into MSC labelled packaging (under brand owner own brand) and sells to a brand owner = The processor is the licensee
Scenario 4: Processor sells certified but non MSC labelled seafood to retailer who then applies label on fish counter or processes in-store = The retailer is the licensee
Scenario 5: Processor sells certified but non MSC labelled seafood to restaurant that then applies label on menu = The restaurant is the licensee
Scenario 6: Contract caterer operates the canteen of a commercial client and places the label on menu with the consent of the client = The contract caterer is the licensee
A product carrying the MSC label may contain 5% non-certified seafood in the total seafood content.
You can calculate the percentage of non-MSC certified seafood ingredients in a product by using the following formula:
Total net weight of non-MSC certified seafood ingredients*
Divided by
Total weight of the combined MSC certified and non-MSC certified seafood ingredients in the finished product*
*excluding water and added salt
The blue MSC label makes it easy for your customers to select sustainable, wild seafood that they can trust. Find out the costs and apply.
The MSC label and associated claims are a registered trademark and any usage must be approved.
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