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Every few years we review the MSC Standards so they remain relevant. Industry practices and scientific understanding evolve over time, so our Standards need to evolve too.
Our Standard reviews are consistent with best practice codes and guidelines provided by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ISEAL and the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI). These reviews engage academics, fellow NGOs, governments and industry.
The Fisheries Standard Review (FSR) considers issues raised by stakeholders and data from our own monitoring and evaluation team. The aim of this review is to make sure scientific developments and fisheries management best practice are reflected in MSC certified fisheries.
This review might also look at what we call the scope of the Fisheries Standard: what types of fishing activity can be assessed to the Standard.
Every three to five years we review our Chain of Custody Standard, which consists of one default version and Group and Consumer-Facing Organisation versions. This enables us to respond to stakeholder concerns, market changes and advances in supply chain traceability best practice. The latest review was completed in 2019 – see our chain of custody documents for the latest versions.
Every two to three years, we review the fishery assessment process, called the Fisheries Certification Process (FCP). This ensures our assessment process stays efficient effective and credible, and enables us to address stakeholder concerns.
We began a review of the Fisheries Certification Process in 2020, alongside the current Fisheries Standard Review.Find out more about the Fisheries Certification Process review
The latest review was completed in 2020: See our Summary of ChangesSee the Stakeholder engagement report
The Marine Stewardship Council condemns the use of forced or child labour and we seek to mitigate risks in our supply chains and fisheries, but we remain an environmental standard setter.
To better ensure the absence of egregious labour practices from certified businesses, we have established a separate Social Policy team that is carrying out a Labour Policy Review. This will involve consultation of stakeholder and the development of eligibility criteria for MSC certified businesses.
We will publish the first MSC Labour Policy and Procedure in October 2022.
Read the full Terms of Reference for our Labour Policy Review
An issue is put forward by a stakeholder or is raised by the MSC.
These two groups provide advice and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees about the proposals.
The Board of Trustees makes the final decision on whether to adopt developments into the program.
Hundreds of people have been involved in shaping our Standards. Your expertise and insights can contribute to the development of the MSC Fisheries and Chain of Custody Standards. There are two main ways to get involved in the Standard development process – you can identify an issue, or you can give feedback on an issue that's open for consultation.
If there is some way you think our Standards or our certification system need to develop, please send us an email with as much detail as possible to standards@msc.org.
We carefully assess every issue and decide if and when it enters into our development process.
It takes time to make modifications to our Standards. Reasonable timeframes need to be allowed to give the issue due consideration and consultation, and ensure any changes are tested and implemented.
We also need to monitor and evaluate any changes that are introduced to make sure implementation is successful in achieving the intended outcome.
To make sure fisheries can adapt to changes they must be given time. The MSC is committed to the FAO Ecolabeling guidelines. These state that fisheries are given at least three years to adapt to changes to the Standard.
Sign up to the MSC policy development email list to get involved. When a consultation opens we will send you an email if your area of interest is in the consultation.
You can give your feedback on project proposals in an online survey. Each project page has links to the survey and all the resources you need to understand the project development.
You can always email or phone the project lead to get information and insights into that project.
MSC staff consider every response we receive as we develop proposals. Your responses are read by the Technical Advisory Board and inform their recommendations.
All responses we receive on a program development are published anonymously.
We also provide a summary response to key issues raised. At the end of the project, we will provide an evaluation of the process including a summary of how main feedback themes were incorporated into revisions.
For copies of reports from past public consultations, please email standards@msc.org
Our research collaborations deepen our understanding of sustainable fishing and supply chain traceability.
Every five years we initiate a review of our MSC Fisheries Standard, addressing issues raised and incorporating new science and management best practice.
The MSC Standards meet international best practice guidelines for certification and ecolabelling.
For over 20 years fisheries, scientists, consumers and industry have been part of a collective effort to make sure our oceans are fished sustainably.
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