SSCI’s At-Sea Operations Benchmark Advances RFVS to Public Comment
The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) At-Sea Operations Benchmark has advanced the Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard (RFVS) to the public comment phase. By passing to the Public Comment phase, SSCI has determined through a third-party assessment that the RFVS is aligned to the Benchmark and is eligible for recognition. Following this public consultation stage, the RFVS will be the first standard globally to achieve the SSCI ASO benchmark.
The RVFS was the first scheme to apply under this new At-Sea Operations scope, which was launched in May 2021. The SSCI is committed to building trust in sustainability standards by recognizing programs that respect key sustainability criteria, as defined by leading industry stakeholders, in their evaluation methods.
“We are proud that RFVS is the first standard to achieve SSCI’s At-Sea Operations Benchmark, which demonstrates that the standard has met the SSCI’s rigorous criteria for development, governance, certification and transparency,” said Brian Perkins, CEO. “Benchmarking is an essential part of seafood certification, and we’re excited for industry stakeholders to engage with RFVS to provide further assurances of best-in-class social practices at sea.”
The SSCI Benchmark is a comprehensive process that recognizes which schemes cover key sustainability criteria and apply relevant verification practices. The process revolves around a first self-assessment undertaken by the scheme, followed by a review by an independent expert, office visits, and a public consultation. The methodology also includes opportunities for the applicant to take corrective actions if needed.
About Best Seafood Practices
Best Seafood Practices is a third-party certification program administered by the Global Seafood Alliance, an international, nonprofit association dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. BSP is the world’s only third-party certification program capable of linking responsible wild fisheries to certified vessels and processing plants. BSP provides assurances to the marketplace that wild seafood has been harvested and processed in an ethical manner with respect for the wellbeing and security of all workers across the supply chain. Visit bspcertification.org.
