The new version of the MarinTrust Chain of Custody (CoC standard), known as Version 2, became effective on 30 November 2020. A transition period was then set up to help Certification Bodies as well as all facilities certified under the former version (known as v1.1), understand how the revised MarinTrust Chain of Custody Standard would affect their business.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and considering that all audits to the new version shall be conducted onsite, the transition period has just been extended.
Current CoC Certificate Holders: all MarinTrust facilities are expected to apply the revisions by 30 November 2021
- For those whose re-certification or annual surveillance audit falls between 30 November 2020 and 30 November 2021, they should be applying under the new version. However, should their facility not be ready for an onsite audit on the new version, they can continue to be certified against the former version. In such a case, they will be required in their next re-certification or annual audit to be audited and certified against the new version of the standard.
- For those whose re-certification or annual surveillance audit falls between 30 November 2021 and 30 November 2022, they must apply to the new version of the standard. However, where the onsite audit is not possible due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, they can continue to be certified against the former version via remote auditing. They will be required in their next re-certification or annual audit to be audited and certified against the new version of the standard.
New applicants have until 30 November 2021 to understand updates and the requirements
- From 30 November 2020 to 30 November 2021, new applicants may choose between being certified against the former version of the standard and the new version. However, their next audit will be required to be onsite against the new version of the CoC standard.
- From 1 December 2021, all new applicants must apply to the new version of the standard.
The new version of the MarinTrust Chain of Custody includes new features such as:
- audit technologies to source the origin of certified MarinTrust compliant marine ingredients,
- recognition of other standards (such as GFSI recognised) and regulatory authority standards,
- a new risk assessment framework,
- as well as new traceability system checks.
If ownership of a CoC certified product is passed to a trader to sell onto an approved buyer, that trader must also gain CoC certification in order to maintain product integrity and an unbroken supply chain.