The MSC certification requirements for both fisheries and chain of custody are defined in a series of documents. These documents outline specific requirements, guidelines and methods to enable consistency and compliance in assessments.
Controlled List of MSC Certification Program Documents
| Description: | Controlled document list of MSC certification program documents for reference by Conformity Assessment Bodies and Assurance Services International. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 47.00 |
| Date of issue: | 03 October 2025 |
| Date effective: | 03 October 2025 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
Controlled List of MSC Derogations
| Language: | English |
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| Version: | 10.00 |
| Date of issue: | 11 July 2025 |
| Date effective: | 11 July 2025 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
Interpretations log
A technical tool for CABs and assessors. Interpretations are additional guidance to ensure consistent assessments to the MSC Standards.
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Chain of Custody certification documents
MSC Chain of Custody Standard - Default Version v5.1
| Description: | The Default Standard is for certification of supply chain organisations with single or multi-site operations, trading MSC and/or ASC certified seafood. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 5.10 |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 30 May 2023 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Chain of Custody Standard - Group Version v2.1
| Description: | The Group Standard is for certification of supply chain organisations with a central office function and many locations trading MSC and/or ASC certified seafood. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 2.10 |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 30 May 2023 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Chain of Custody Standard Consumer-Facing Organisation Version v2.1
| Description: | The CFO Standard is for certification of supply chain organisations of any size selling MSC and/or ASC certified products directly to the final consumer. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 2.10 |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 30 May 2023 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Chain of Custody Certification Requirements v3.2
| Description: | Sets out requirements on how the Chain of Custody Standard should be audited and to ensure consistency of its application. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 3.20 |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 01 November 2023 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Labour Eligibility Requirements v1.0
| Description: | Sets out labour requirements that fisheries and Chain of Custody certificate holders must meet to be eligible for MSC assessment. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.00 |
| Date of issue: | 26 October 2022 |
| Date effective: | 01 May 2023 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC-MSCI Vocabulary v1.7
| Description: | This vocabulary defines concepts, terms, phrases and abbreviations used by the MSC and MSCI. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.70 |
| Date of issue: | 04 March 2025 |
| Date effective: | 04 March 2025 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Change Tracker Report for Chain of Custody Program Update 2023
| Description: | Clause-by-clause list of changes to the Chain of Custody Standards (Default, Group and Consumer-Facing Organisation) and the Chain of Custody Certification Requirements released on 15 May 2023. |
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| Language: | English |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 15 May 2023 |
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XLSX - 1 MB
XLSX - 1 MB
MSC Chain of Custody Certification Requirements v3.2 with tracked changes
| Description: | The MSC Chain of Custody Certification Requirements, version 3.2, showing tracked changes from version 3.1. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 3.20 |
| Date of issue: | 15 May 2023 |
| Date effective: | 15 May 2023 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Chain of Custody Program Supplementary Standard and Certification Requirements for the MSC Improvement Program v1
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Version: | 1.00 |
| Date of issue: | 29 October 2024 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
General Certification Requirements
MSC General Certification Requirements v2.7
| Description: | Sets out requirements for Conformity Assessment Bodies assessing or auditing Fisheries and Chain of Custody businesses. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 2.70 |
| Date of issue: | 27 January 2025 |
| Date effective: | 01 February 2025 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
MSC Rules on Unacceptable Conduct v1.1
| Description: | Sets out the review process and steps to be taken when the MSC identifies unacceptable conduct in relation to a certificate or applicant. |
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| Language: | English |
| Version: | 1.10 |
| Date of issue: | 19 December 2024 |
| Date effective: | 19 December 2024 |
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PDF - 1 MB
PDF - 1 MB
