21 April 2020

Kiwa now offers global MSC CoC certification – international standard for sustainable seafood

Kiwa Norway now offers worldwide accredited certification in accordance with the most recognized international standard for sustainable seafood, the Marine Stewardship Council - Chain of Custody (MSC CoC).

Blue fish label

The Marine Stewardship Council - Chain of Custody (MSC CoC) is a certification scheme designed to ensure sustainability and traceability in the fishing industry. As an MSC CoC certified company, suppliers and retailers can tag their seafood products with the well-known blue MSC fish and show that the food can be traced back to sustainable fishing.

Sustainable fishing means leaving enough fish in the ocean, respecting habitats and ensuring people who depend on fishing can maintain their livelihoods.

Standard for sustainable seafood

Torill Strand, audit manager by Kiwa Norway, emphasizes that the MSC CoC is the only certification scheme for wild-caught fish that meets the international best practice guidelines for both the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and ISEAL, the global member association for sustainability standards.

For a product to have the blue MSC ecolabel, all companies in the supply chain must have a valid certificate. Strand explains: ‘It is a requirement that the company applying for certification is audited by an independent certification body. The company must document that the sales chain can be traced, that all links are clearly identifiable and that there are well-established quality routines.’

Remote auditing because of Covid-19

Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, new guidelines have been published by the Marine Stewardship Council. Strand explains: ‘Usually, an MSC CoC audit means that the auditor visits the production facility, but the new guidelines allow us to perform all audits without physical meetings, through so-called remote auditing. This applies initially until September 27 of this year.’

Preservation of fish supplies

We are very pleased to offer accredited MSC CoC certification for fish food businesses all over the world. By certifying fisheries, suppliers and retailers we indirectly contribute to secure healthy seas and preserve seafood supplies for future generations.

More information

  • Read more about the Marine Stewardship Council on this website 
  • For more information about our global MSC CoC certification service, please contact Kiwa Norway via the contact form on this page.