MSC Chain of Custody Standard

The MSC Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard is a certification program developed by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable fishing practices. The MSC CoC Standard ensures the traceability and integrity of seafood products from MSC-certified fisheries throughout the supply chain. The goal of the MSC CoC Standard is to provide assurance to consumers that the seafood they purchase comes from fisheries that meet rigorous sustainability criteria. The standard covers all entities involved in handling, processing, and trading MSC-certified seafood, including fishermen, processors, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. To achieve MSC CoC certification, companies must implement a documented traceability system that ensures the separation of MSC-certified seafood from non-certified products at every stage of the supply chain. This includes maintaining records of product quantities, suppliers, and sales, as well as proper labeling and documentation of MSC-certified products. Certification involves an independent audit conducted by accredited certification bodies to verify compliance with the MSC CoC Standard. This audit assesses the company's traceability procedures, record-keeping practices, and segregation measures to ensure that MSC-certified products are correctly identified and kept separate from non-certified products. Once certified, companies can use the MSC CoC logo on their products, packaging, and promotional materials, indicating to consumers that the seafood has been sourced from MSC-certified fisheries and has been handled in accordance with the MSC's rigorous traceability requirements. By participating in the MSC CoC certification program, companies demonstrate their commitment to supporting sustainable fishing practices, protecting marine ecosystems, and providing consumers with transparent and reliable information about the origin and sustainability of the seafood they purchase.