The continuing evolution of the MarinTrust Standard ensures that it remains relevant, credible, and accessible. The development of Version 3.0 was an ambitious next step, strengthening the assessment criteria for raw materials, while encouraging the use of by-products. Both assurance and traceability remain at the core of this standard, guaranteeing the integrity of MarinTrust products.
Starting back in 2020, the development of Version 3 has been a rigorous process, including pilot assessments across the world, feedback from key marine ingredient stakeholders to enhance the consistency and efficiency of audits, and a public consultation (held from 4th May to 3rd July 2023).
The whole process was closely overseen by MarinTrust’s multi-stakeholder Governing Body Committee, who ensured that Version 3 meets expectations of all those who use it.
A summary of all consultation feedback, not attributable to individuals or organisations, is now available. A summary of the decision taken related to each comment received in consultation is reported in the annex.
Version 3 public consultation summary
Below is a summary of the Standard, including the differences from the previous version.
Explore the main sections of the draft Version 3 Standard. Simply click on the icons to open and click again to close.
Includes the requirements for raw materials including whole fish and by-products. As a pre-requisite these raw materials must be assessed, and assurance in place regarding the legality of sourcing.
Improvements:
- Streamlined and simplified the pre-requisite section
Covers the wide scope of the facility quality management system, including policies, procedures and other requirements.
Improvements:
- Consolidated policies into one clause
- Introduced the need to provide metrics each year
- Greater emphasis on due diligence
- Strengthened checks of suppliers and subcontractors as a foundation of due diligence; traceability, legal, social etc.
- Duplications removed
- Improved clarity around the use of logo and Improver Programme claims
Details the specific information and requirements to ensure the raw materials which are sourced, can be verified as to their origin, including fishery, supplier, farm. Includes the key information required for each type of raw material.
Improvements:
- Strengthened the traceability requirements relevant to the raw materials Introduced applicable Key Data Elements (KDEs) from GDST Clarified types of by-products and sources
Details the specifics for traceability of MarinTrust compliant raw materials, including requirements for segregation from non-approved sources. How MarinTrust compliant raw materials should be able to be traced through the production process, from source to sale to customer. Requirement for mass balance to verify input and outputs.
Improvements
- Aligned to Chain of Custody V2 to facilitate linkage between standards
- Introduced Key Data Elements (KDEs) from GDST
- Linked to raw material requirements in Section 3 to specify traceability requirements for each batch/delivery of raw materials
- Traceability requirements have been strengthened at all stages of production
Focuses on the key requirements for a facility to ensure good manufacturing practices are in place, across all the key areas of the facility.
Covers numerous specific requirements including hazard analysis, risk management, and operational details.
Improvements:
- Section has been streamlined and is clearer and more logical
- Duplications have been removed and all GMP requirements are now in this section
- Strengthened requirements as required to align with good practice Aligned to latest versions of Codex Alimentarius
- General principles of Food Hygiene (2020), ISO 22000 (2018), GMP+ (2022), FEMAS (2019).
- In line with HACCP requirements and terminology
- New requirements for TACCP / VACCP (only for plants producing human consumption) improves product integrity
Ensures that staff have the required skills to understand and deliver across all areas of the MarinTrust standard.
Improvements:
- Staff training is clearer and ensures building knowledge of MT
- Requirement for procedures provides flexibility for plants
Ensures effective staff safety, welfare and working conditions.
Improvements:
- Social accountability has been brought up to date and in line with the International Labour Organization (ILO) / latest practice
- Clearer requirements to demonstrate social performance and balanced against what is possible
Ensures effective environmental management and that the facility is in line with permits and managing environmental performance.
Improvements:
Environmental accountability has been streamlined but remains largely the same
To demonstrate responsible sourcing, a MarinTrust certified facility can only use raw material (whole fish and by-product) that is MarinTrust approved, which means it has passed an assessment undertaken by a third-party Certification Body. For MarinTrust approved whole fish and by-products, MarinTrust sets the criteria to assess these raw materials.
Alongside the development of V3, MarinTrust began further development of the by-product and whole fish fishery assessment criteria. Following a comprehensive development process, including pilot assessments and feedback from certificate holders and fisheries experts. The process has been overseen by MarinTrust’s multi-stakeholder MarinTrust Fisheries Development Oversight Committee and Governing Body Committee.
By-product assessment:
The focus of the assessment has changed. V3 now focuses on the legality of the by-product sourced within the supply chain, this is done by using an IUU risk-based assessment of the source country (flag state). Retained checks to ensure the species is not endangered (CITES appendices & IUCN Red List for threatened species).The species categorisation and assessment criteria for whole fish (Categories A, B, C and D) remain unchanged.
For whole fish fishery assessment:
The key requirements remain the same as the current version. The Management and Ecosystem Impacts criteria have been improved by restructuring the clauses and introducing sub-clauses. Sub-clauses come from information already used to assess the fishery and formalise the information previously situated in the assessment guidance.Please refer to the final approved versions of Version 3 of the MarinTrust Standard (issued October 2023).
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