MSC completes public consultation on Chain of Custody review

The public consultation on proposed revisions to the MSC Chain of Custody Standard closed on 13 June 2026 and marks an important milestone in strengthening traceability and assurance across the seafood supply chain. 

From 31 March to 13 June 2026, MSC invited stakeholders to participate in a public consultation on proposed revisions to the Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard and associated Certification Requirements. 

The consultation provided certificate holders, certification bodies, seafood businesses, and other stakeholders with the opportunity to provide feedback through an online survey. 

The review forms part of MSC’s ongoing commitment to ensuring its standards remain effective, practical, and aligned with evolving expectations around traceability and seafood assurance. 

The proposed revisions focus on improving clarity, strengthening oversight, and making implementation more consistent across different parts of the supply chain. 

Among the key proposals is the introduction of a single, consolidated version of the Chain of Custody Standard, replacing the current three-model structure. The intention is to simplify implementation and improve consistency for both auditors and certificate holders. 

Additional proposals include requirements for certificate holders to demonstrate access to Key Data Elements (KDEs), regular internal traceback exercises between audits, and updated, standardized risk assessments across the certification program. 

Feedback from the consultation will now be reviewed alongside findings from mock audits designed to assess feasibility and understand the practical implications of the proposed changes. 

A consultation summary report will be published later in 2026. The revised Standard is expected to be published in early 2027 and will become effective six months after publication.