Who sets the criteria for certification?

Initially, the Friend of the Sea Advisory Board set the criteria following consultation of key NGOs’ criteria and stakeholders’ opinions. Since 2008, based on a policy of continually improvement, several modifications have been incorporated.

Currently, during a public consultation period, the Friend of the Sea Technical Committee collaborates by sending comments and voting on the content of seafood standards developed and revised by the Friend of the Sea Technical and Scientific Department. Their votes are fundamental for the approbation or not of the standard(s).

Nonetheless, prior to such approval, the Friend of the Sea Advisory Board reviews all the proposed changes to ensure they are in compliance with FAO guidelines. Meetings and voting take place online.

If approved,  Accredia has to validate the standard(s) and finally the Board of Directors ratify the them.

The Friend of the Sea Technical Committee members, and any interested party, can also send comments at any time on how standards are working and how to improve them. In this case, the inputs are considered during the subsequent revision process.

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