MarinTrust is aware of the existence of a wide variety of other fishery and factory Standards and Benchmark Tools. Our recognition procedure, effective as of 1st May 2024, outlines the process by which equivalence can be determined.  

By enabling the recognition of other Standards or Benchmark Tools, we are able to:

  • reduce unnecessary assessment and/or audit duplication;
  • reduce the audit duration for certificate holders and applicants;
  • reduce cost for certificate holders and applicants;
  • ensure increased market access for Marine ingredients;
  • ultimately, increase the availability of responsibly sourced and produced marine ingredients

Process

MarinTrust outlines the process and methodology to be implemented for Standard / Benchmark Tool requirements to be recognised.

As part of this process, as well as assessing the equivalence of Standard and Benchmark Tools against is own requirement, it must be determined that the Standard or Benchmark Tool Owner is credible, robust, and relevant. This is an important step to safeguard the integrity and assurance of the MarinTrust Programme. 

Key stages include:

  • Stage 1: Initiation of recognition of equivalence process
  • Stage 2: Self-assessment
  • Stage 3: Third-party equivalency assessment
  • Stage 4: Recognition decision and update of documentation

Further information on what these stages entail is outlined below.

accordian
main

Key process

sub_parent
subparent

Stage 1

sub_child
heading

Initiation of recognition of equivalence process

Equivalence determination can be initiated by:

  • MarinTrust
  • Relevant stakeholders
  • Standard owners
  • Benchmark Tool owners

Where MarinTrust is not the initiator of the equivalence determination the Standard / Benchmark Tool owner must contact MarinTrust to notify their intent.

subparent

Stage 2

sub_child
heading

Self-assessment

The Standard / Benchmark Tool owner conducts self-assessment and shares this with MarinTrust, and pay any relevant process fees. Once submitted, an approved third-party conducts a review and offers recommendation  to MarinTrust. 

This recommendation is then shared with the Standard / Benchmark Tool owner. 

Note: Standard / Benchmark Tool owners will only proceed to Stage 3 provided the self-assessment outcome is 'recognition process recommended'.

subparent

Stage 3

sub_child
heading

Third party equivalency assessment

The third party conducts the equivalency assessment and shares a draft report with the Standard/Benchmark Tools owner, opening a two-week comment period. Feedback from the owner is considered by the third party, and the equivalency report and recommendation is finalised and submitted to MarinTrust.  

subparent

Stage 4

sub_child
heading

Recognition decision and update of documentation

As part of a peer review process, findings and recommendation outcome is presented to the relevant MarinTrust governance committee for discussion and recommendation to theGoverning Body Committee (GBC).

These findings and the recommendations are put forward for approval by the GBC for approval. 

Note: The GBC shall have sole authority on the decision, and the decision shall be final. 

Where recognition is successful, MarinTrust will publish the equivalency report on the MarinTrust website and update all relevant information.

main

What happens after achieving recognition?

sub_parent
subparent

Maintenance and review

sub_child
heading

Following successful recognition, Standard/Benchmark Tool owners will be required to maintain the equivalence status through a process of periodic review.

For further detailed information, please refer to the Recognition of equivalence procedure.

Recognised Standards and Benchmark Tools

These are the Standards and Benchmarks tools that are currently recognised under MarinTrust Standard Version 2 and/or Version 3.

Simply click on the icons to open and click again to close.

Programa de Aseguramiento de la Calidad (PAC)

The Chilean PAC was formally recognised under the MarinTrust Programme in 2019. A full review of equivalency conducted in 2022 confirmed that facilities certified to the Chilean PAC can be considered to have met requirements equivalent to almost all of those set out in Section 3.2 of the factory clauses of the MarinTrust Standard Version 2. For further information, please refer to the Chilean PAC Recognition Summary 2022).

MarinTrust Standard Version 3

Following the effective date of the MarinTrust Standard V3, equivalency assessment was conducted by an appointed third party against subsection 5.2-5.4 of the MarinTrust Standard V 3.0 (Good Manufacturing Practices) in May and June 2024 to maintain Chilean PAC recognition status.

The outcome of the equivalency assessment was ‘partial recognition’ and Chilean PAC maintained its recognition status.

The complete equivalence assessment results and recommendations report can be found here.

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard Version 2.0 was formally recognised under the MarinTrust Programme in January 2021. The MSC Fisheries Standard Version 2.0 was benchmarked against the MarinTrust whole fish fishery assessment requirements V2.0.

The results of the benchmark exercise demonstrated that the MSC Fishery Standard is equivalent to the requirements of the MarinTrust fishery assessment V2.0.

MarinTrust therefore offered a formal recognition of MSC certified fisheries depending on:

-the raw material type;
-the MSC claim held by the facility

GMP+ B2 Production of Feed Ingredients Standard

GMP+ B2 is currently recognised under the MarinTrust Programme. Facilities certified to the GMP+ can be considered to have met requirements equivalent to almost all of those set out in the Section 3.2 of the factory clauses of MarinTrust Standard Version 2.

MarinTrust Standard Version 3

Following the effective date of the MarinTrust Standard V3, GMP+ B2 was required to undergo the equivalency assessment against MarinTrust Standard V3 criteria to maintain its recognition status. 

Equivalency assessment was conducted by an appointed third party against the subsection 5.2-5.4 of the MarinTrust Standard V 3.0 (Good Manufacturing Practices) in May and June 2024.

The outcome of the equivalency assessment was ‘partial recognition’ and GMP+ B2 maintained its recognition status under the MarinTrust Standard Version 3.0. The complete equivalence assessment results and recommendations report can be found here.

Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS) Version 2.1)

FEMAS is currently recognised under MarinTrust Programme. Facilities certified to the  FEMAS can be considered to have met requirements equivalent to almost all of those set out in the Section 3.2 of the factory clauses of MarinTrust Standard Version 2.

MarinTrust Standard Version 3

Following the effective date of the MarinTrust Standard V3, equivalency assessment was conducted by an appointed third party against the subsection 5.2-5.4 of the MarinTrust Standard V 3.0 (Good Manufacturing Practices) in May and June 2024 to maintain FEMAS recognition.

The outcome of the equivalency assessment for FEMAS was ‘partial recognition’ and their recognition was maintained.

The complete equivalence assessment results and recommendations report can be found here.

Read our transition guidance for further details and reach out to us if you have any questions: [email protected].

Downloads