MarinTrust updates guidance for latest version of its Chain of Custody certification

MarinTrust, the global marine ingredient standard for responsible supply (formerly IFFO RS), released updated guidance on 10 May for its Chain of Custody (CoC) Version 2 standard, which became effective as of 30 November, 2020.

In a press release, MarinTrust said it was extending the transition period “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.”

All MarinTrust facilities that currently hold CoC certificates are now expected to apply revisions for the standard by 30 November, 2021, a decision that was made in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and “considering that all audits to the new version shall be conducted onsite.”

“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,” MarinTrust said. “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.”

New applicants also have until 30 November to understand updates and 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,” MarinTrust said.

Those that apply from 1 December, 2021 onward will have to apply to the new version of the standard, the certifier said.

The features included in the new version of the CoC standard, according to MarinTrust, include:

• 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,” MarinTrust said.