Chain of Custody System: Collaboration between MSC and ASC
Almost 2,000 companies worldwide, including processors, retailers and restaurants, have achieved certification against the MSC Chain of Custody Standard. Building on this success story, MSC has decided to open up their traceability system for partners, starting with ASC, which will allow for synergies and reduced audit costs. The “ASC traceability system” will have the MSC Chain of Custody Standard and Methodology as its basis and will only deviate from it where necessary. In order to accommodate this step, both organizations are currently working together to verify which amendments to the MSC traceability system are needed to cover potential differences between “wild capture” and “aquaculture” supply chains. These amendments are expected to be released in the 3rd quarter of 2011. Thereafter, ASI will conduct a brief assessment to ascertain if certification bodies have incorporated these amendments into their audit system, prior to allowing MSC chain of custody accredited certification bodies to conduct audits of ASC clients.
