Terms of Reference for MSC-ASC Seaweed Standard Development · Rome. 223 pp. Terms of Reference ... In Regional workshop on the culture and utilization ... Terms of Reference (TOR)

ASC – Aquaculture Stewardship Council

MSC – Marine Stewardship Council

Terms of Reference for Seaweed Standard development, jointly developed by the ASC & MSC 1

Terms of Reference (TOR) for MSC-ASC Seaweed Standard Development

This document is publicly available on the ASC and MSC websites.

Comments are welcome and appreciated. Feedback can be submitted to [email protected]

Document history

Version Effective date Description of amendment Affected section/ page

1.0 1st February 2016 New document n/a

1.1 1st March Minor edits Section 5

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Table of Contents

Terms of Reference (TOR) for MSC-ASC Seaweed Standard Development ......................................... 1

1. Introduction to the ASC .................................................................................................................... 3

2. Introduction to the MSC ................................................................................................................... 3

3. Justification of a Seaweed Standard................................................................................................ 4

4. Objectives of the standard ............................................................................................................... 5

5. Stakeholder participation ................................................................................................................. 6

6. Guiding standard setting principles ................................................................................................ 10

7. Process of standard development ................................................................................................. 11

8. Governance structure, working approach and decision making procedure .................................. 12

9. Assessment of risks ....................................................................................................................... 13

10. Contact information ...................................................................................................................... 13



1. Introduction to the ASC

Founded in 2010 by WWF and IDH (Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative) the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent not for profit organisation with global influence.

The primary role of the ASC is to manage the global standards for responsible aquaculture, which were developed by the WWF Aquaculture Dialogues.

The ASC aims to transform the aquaculture industry to a higher standard through a comprehensive certification program that prioritises the best environmental and social aquaculture performance. The standards are developed and implemented according to ISEAL guidelines and features both an environmental and social certification. The social provisions can be found in the ASC Farm Standards on Worker & Community Rights, which are primarily based on the United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions relating to child labour, forced labour, discrimination, health and safety, working hours and remuneration.

Through collaboration with aquaculture producers, seafood processors, retail and foodservice companies, scientists, and conservation groups, the program recognises and rewards best practices through the ASC aquaculture certification program and seafood label. The consumer logo promotes the best environmental and social aquaculture performance in the marketplace, sends a strong message to consumers about the integrity of the product they are purchasing, and rewards farms who have achieved ASC certification.

ASC vision and mission

The vision of the ASC is a world where aquaculture plays a major role in supplying food and social benefits for mankind whilst minimising or eliminating negative impacts on the environment.

The mission of the ASC is to transform aquaculture towards environmental sustainability and social responsibility using efficient market mechanisms that create value across the chain. ASC aims to achieve this by promoting standards for best environmental and social aquaculture performance and rewarding responsible farming practices through certification and recognition.

2. Introduction to the MSC

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) was created in 1997 when the two global organisations, WWF and Unilever, came together with the common vision of improving the sustainability of the world’s fisheries. Together they founded the MSC – an international non-profit organisation set up to help transform the seafood market to a sustainable basis. Between 1997 and 1999, the MSC consulted over 200 scientists, environmentalists and stakeholders to establish a worldwide certification system for fisheries using environmentally sustainable practices.

Currently, the MSC runs the only certification and ecolabelling program for wild-capture fisheries consistent with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental Standards and the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Guidelines for the Ecolabelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries (FAO, 2009).

The MSC works with fishers, seafood companies, scientists, conservation groups, regulators and the public to promote fisheries best practices through its certification program and seafood ecolabel. When any buyer chooses to purchase MSC ecolabelled fish, certified fisheries are rewarded for their sustainable practices through market preference. The MSC and its partners encourage processors, suppliers, retailers, and consumers to give priority to purchasing seafood from MSC-certified fisheries and to demonstrate this through use of the MSC ecolabel.

http://www.isealalliance.org/our-work/defining-credibility/codes-of-good-practice/standard-setting-code

http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1119t/i1119t00.htm

http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1119t/i1119t00.htm



MSC vision and mission

The vision of the MSC is of the world’s oceans teeming with life, and seafood supplies safeguarded for this and future generations. The MSC’s mission is to use our ecolabel and fishery certification program to contribute to the health of the world’s oceans. The MSC does this by recognising and rewarding sustainable fishing practices, influencing the choices people make when buying seafood and working with our partners to transform the seafood market.

MSC and ASC’s joint vision and mission

The joint vision and mission of the ASC and MSC in developing this Seaweed Standard is to contribute to the health of the world’s aquatic ecosystems by recognising, and rewarding through certification, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible seaweed harvesting and farming practices.

About this Terms of Reference (TOR) document

This document gives a transparent overview of the development of a Seaweed Standard and is for use by the MSC, ASC and all interested parties. It includes:

i. Justification for developing a Seaweed Standard;

ii. The objectives of the ASC and MSC in developing this standard;

iii. Identified stakeholders and participation opportunities;

iv. Guiding standard setting principles;

v. The process of standard development;

vi. The governance structure, working approach and decision making procedure;

vii. Assessment of risk;

viii. Contact information.

The development of the standard, will follow the TOR outlined in this document. This TOR has been jointly developed by the MSC and ASC following the ISEAL Standard Setting Code version 6.0.

3. Justification for developing a Seaweed Standard

According to the latest available information, FAO1 in 2014 estimated that about 25 million tonnes (wet weight) of seaweeds and other algae are harvested annually (23.8 million tonnes from aquaculture, and 1.1 million tonnes from wild capture). Seaweeds are used as food, in cosmetics and fertilizers, and are processed to extract thickening agents or used as an additive to animal feed. Seaweed harvested in 2012 alone, represents over 15% of the total world fisheries and aquaculture production globally (FAO, 2014)1

The vast majority of seaweeds are produced using techniques that combine cultivation with varying aspects of wild harvest. The primary categories include:

Harvest of natural populations of seaweed;

1 FAO. 2014. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2014. Rome. 223 pp.



Cultivation of seaweeds by vegetative propagation or with some stages cultivated in hatcheries followed by grow-out at sea:

o Supply from the wild stock required;

o Supply from the wild stock NOT required or negligible.

Cultivation of seaweeds entirely in land-based systems:

o Supply from the wild stock required;

o Supply from the wild stock NOT required or negligible.

Seaweeds play a key role in aquatic ecosystems and coastal protection. These primary producers provide a foundation for many marine food webs and form important habitats for associated marine flora and fauna. Overexploitation of seaweed may have associated negative effects on biodiversity, affect water quality, and increase coastal erosion (FAO, 1990)2.

With global seaweed production increasing along with demand for certification of the seaweed industry, the ASC and MSC recognise the importance of having a standard that rewards those harvesting seaweed sustainably as well as providing a benchmark for improvement. The science-based MSC-ASC environmental standard for sustainable seaweed production will offer a way to confirm sustainability, using a credible, independent third-party assessment process. It will allow sustainable fisheries and farms to be recognised and rewarded in the marketplace, giving an assurance to consumers that their seaweed (or by-products derived from seaweeds) come from a well-managed and sustainable source.

The variety of seaweed production methods ranging from wild harvest to aquaculture systems align with the MSC and ASC’s existing programs with some overlap. Developing a standard together will be more efficient and will provide the industry and market with a single solution for certification of seaweed produced by all the categories listed above.

4. Objectives of the standard

The MSC and ASC are creating a new Seaweed Standard that will apply globally to all locations and scales of seaweed operations, including both harvesting of wild populations and aquaculture production systems. This standard will combine elements of the ASC’s Aquaculture Standards and the MSC’s Fisheries Standard.

The Seaweed Standard will:

i. Provide a framework for the consistent assessment of seaweed operations where those reaching the standard for certification are operating at the ‘best practice’ level;

ii. Provide incentives for improvement that help the MSC and ASC to deliver their theories of change, including through the use of ‘conditions’.

To achieve these objectives, we will produce:

i. A standard applicable to global seaweed operations;

ii. A set of certification requirements to allow consistent assessment against the standard;

iii. Guidance for operators and auditors to:

2 Phillips, M.J. 1990. Environmental aspects of seaweed culture. In Regional workshop on the culture and utilization of seaweeds, held 27-31 August 1990 in Cebu City, The Philippines. Bangkok, Regional Seafaring Development and Demonstration Project RAS/90/002 and Network of aquaculture Centers in Asia (NACA). Technical resource papers: Vol. 2:51-62

https://www.msc.org/documents/msc-brochures/msc-theory-of-change

http://www.asc-aqua.org/upload/Theory%20of%20Change_2014_FINAL.pdf



a. Ensure consistency in implementation (by farms/fisheries);

b. Ensure consistency in assessment (by auditors).

iv. Forms and reporting templates as needed for each part of the assessment process.

5. Stakeholder participation

The development of the Seaweed Standard will follow an open and transparent process, where stakeholder inputs will be an integral part of the standard’s development.

The ASC and MSC’s process for consultation on a new standard follows the ISEAL Standard Setting Code and FAO Ecolabelling Guidelines. It will require at least two rounds of public consultation and other stakeholder engagement opportunities to ensure effective participation, particularly from those who are typically under-represented (such as those in the developing world). The MSC and ASC will monitor the participation of stakeholders throughout the standard setting process to ensure balanced and effective stakeholder participation.

Stakeholders are:

Key Secondary

Seaweed farmers and fisheries

Communities around farms and fisheries

Governments and policy makers

Scientists/academics

NGOs

Industry partners

Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) & ASI

Overlapping organizations (other standards setters or schemes)

MSC & ASC staff and governance bodies

MSC fishery & supply chain certificate holders

(Industry) Media

Donors



Opportunities for Input

The table below outlines the stakeholders groups, respective relevance and interest, and how the ASC and MSC intend to involve them in this process.

Main stakeholder

groups

Relevance (why they should participate in

the process)

Interest in the process and

standard

Strategies for participation in standard development and revision

Communication tools

Seaweed farms and fisheries

Most directly affected group. In order for the standard to be effective, requirements must be achievable by these groups in practice. Seaweed farms can provide these practical insights

Clear and consistent standard, simple and cost-effective implementation

Direct contact with farms and fisheries

Where necessary, translation of certain documents (e.g. TOR, draft standard, synopsis, final standard)

Direct contact with these companies (e.g. through MSC and ASC Outreach staff)

Via CABs

Local/regional workshops, where and when necessary

Participation in pilot

Website

Webinar

In person to the extent possible (e.g. workshop)

Through trade associations, media, events

Email Newsletter

Communities (around seaweed farms and fisheries)

Indirectly affected group

Local environmental and social impacts should be considered

Where necessary, translation of certain documents (e.g. TOR, draft standard, synopsis, final standard)

Via social/environmental NGOs where possible


Participation in pilot

Website

Webinar


Through NGOs

Email Newsletter

Governments

Cross check potential legal implications of proposed changes

For governments it is important to be assured that the certification standard are not imposing trade barriers

Direct contact with government officials (or through consultants)

Where necessary organise discussion with them, have them to advise on solutions on legal topics

Website

Webinar


Email Newsletter

Scientists or academics

The MSC and ASC aim to use sound scientific evidence to ensure their standard reflects best

Providing scientific data where decisions are needed

Direct contact with scientists

Where necessary, organise discussions with them or collaborate on specific research on identified topics

Website

Webinar



Main stakeholder

groups


the process)


standard


Communication tools

available practices in managing seaweed harvesting and production.



Email Newsletter

NGOs

Standards are aimed at reducing the environmental and social impact.

Standards must address key environmental concerns.

Direct contact with these organisation

Face-to-face meetings at or around conferences/trade

fairs

Website

Webinar



Email Newsletter

Industry

Processing and trade companies match supply and demand. Changes in industry and availability of certified seaweed may affect their business directly.

Costs for sourcing and availability of certified products must be in line with demand and sales of those.

Direct contact with these companies (e.g. through MSC

and ASC Outreach colleagues)

Face-to-face meetings at or around conferences/trade

fairs


Website

Webinars

In person to the extent possible (e.g. workshops)

Trade press

E-mail newsletter

Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs)

Ensure the standard’s structure and content is practical to implement and consistent with standard auditing practices (including internal processes/documents)

CABs need to be able to build a viable business model based on credible assessments of the standard

Direct contact with these organisations (e.g. MSC and ASC staff)

Face-to-face meetings at trade events, meetings, conferences

Website

Webinar



Email Newsletter

Overlapping organisations

In order to ensure sustainability initiatives with overlapping scopes

To provide input into the process on future plans which

Through signing MoU

Regular contact between organisations

Website

Phone calls



Main stakeholder

groups


the process)


standard


Communication tools

(other standards or schemes)

are consistent and to enhance efficiency in achieving sustainability objectives, it is important to be aligned where appropriate with other standard setters.

may not yet be available in the public domain

In person to the extent possible

As observers in relevant meetings



6. Guiding standard setting principles

The ASC and MSC use their standards to achieve their missions and visions. Therefore, it is important that both the process of setting this standard and the standard itself observes widely recognised credibility principles.

Improvement – The standard will be reviewed, and if necessary revised, every five years, at a

minimum. This allows the MSC and ASC to incorporate learning from stakeholders’ feedback and from the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) program. Performance levels will be adjusted over time to reflect new science and improved management practices.

Relevance –Seaweeds play a key role in the aquatic ecosystem. With global seaweed production

increasing along with demand for certification of the seaweed industry, the ASC and MSC recognise the importance of having a standard that rewards those harvesting seaweed sustainably, minimising effects on aquatic ecosystems as well as providing a benchmark for improvement. The standard will be updated where there is improved scientific understanding, with widespread scientific support, to demonstrate that a change in the performance requirements is necessary to achieve the intentions of the standard Principles and Performance Indicators. Additionally, revision will be considered where there is improved fishery and farm management best practice, growing support in management and policy circles that are accepted as being required and appropriate to achieve the relevant FAO Codes of Conduct. The standard’s requirements are formulated in a way that facilitates consistent interpretation and verification.

Rigour – The standard is based on performance outcomes from implementing operations that represent the sector’s best practices across different regions. Principles: High-level goals that once achieved would contribute to achieving the defined outcome; Performance Indicators: Issues against which performance can be measured in a specific area; and Scoring Guideposts: Specific performance levels to be reached which will determine if the desired impact will be achieved.

Engagement – Multiple stakeholder groups are proactively engaged throughout the standard setting

process, from the initial feedback through to the decision-making stages. Final decisions are taken by the MSC Board of Trustees and ASC Supervisory Board, which includes a variety of stakeholder interest groups.

Transparency – All information of the standard setting process except confidential minutes of

governance bodies and other internal meetings is made publicly available on the ASC and MSC websites. The information is kept up-to-date, including this TOR, synopsis and all public comments, draft version(s) of the standard, and the final (valid) version of the standard.

Accessibility – The standard’s requirements are not overly burdensome. The standard does not

create obstacles to trade or exclude small-scale operations from market access and facilitate access to information about meeting the standard, training to build capacity at the local level and for actors within the supply chain. The standard and guidance documents are translated into different languages as deemed necessary.



7. Process of standard development

The table below lists the steps for the standard setting process.

Activity Planned date

Creation of the Seaweed Standard Committee (SSC) January 2016

First SSC meeting (tele-conference) 25 January 2016

Publish TOR and Seaweed Standard development work plan 1 February 2016

Consultation on the TOR with other standard setters 1 – 14 February 2016

First public consultation of the draft indicators and draft certification process (60 days)

1 March – 30 April 2016 (60 days)

Stakeholders workshop China (others TBC) July 2016

Second SSC meeting to:

Review progress and first consultation feedback

Review plan for pilot testing of the standard

Endorse the second drafts for public consultation

June 2016

Prepare drafts of the certification requirements and standard for second public consultation

May – July 2016

Pilot/testing phase January – July 2016

Second public consultation (60 days) 1 August – 30 September 2016

Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) focused workshop September 2016 (TBC)

Third SSC meeting to:

Review progress and second consultation feedback

Agree on modifications needed to create the final standard and certification requirements

October 2016

Third (final) public consultation (30 days) 1 – 31 March 2017

Fourth SSC meeting to:

Review progress and third consultation feedback

Agree to recommend the final standard and certification requirements

May 2017

The MSC and ASC Boards’ approval of the Seaweed Standard July 2017

Release of the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard September 2017

Training and communications 2017



8. Governance structure, working approach and decision making procedure

The MSC Board of Trustees and the ASC Supervisory Board have given powers for decision making throughout the standard setting process to a newly formed body, the Seaweed Standard Committee (SSC). They will guide all aspects of the standard setting process with the exception of the final formal approval of the Seaweed Standard, which resides with the ASC and MSC Boards.

The SSC will:

Provide advice to the MSC and ASC Boards about all aspects of the Seaweed Standard and recommend its final adoption or modification to the ASC and MSC Boards;

Take interim decisions on the TOR for the Seaweed Standard, on the scope, technical content, certification process, accreditation processes, consultation requirements, and operational elements of the Seaweed Standard with the full delegated authority of the MSC and ASC Boards;

Provide internal feedback on the following issues:

o Transparency and credibility with regards to the entire policy development process and standard setting procedure;

o Seaweed Standard development, including consistency between the ASC and MSC standards;

o Development of the certification process.

Seaweed Standard Committee (SSC) membership

The members of the SSC have been appointed by the MSC and ASC Boards. The SSC has four voting members, two appointed by the ASC Board and two appointed by the MSC Board. The overall composition of the SSC membership shall ensure that representation is balanced across the MSC and ASC. There is one member who currently serves on each of the following: ASC Board, MSC Board, ASC Technical Advisory Group (TAG), and MSC Technical Advisory Board (TAB). Additional members may be appointed by the Boards as necessary.

The voting members of the SSC are joined by a maximum of 4 non-voting members from the MSC and ASC Stakeholder Communities to provide advice. These non-voting members shall be drawn from a balance of industry and eNGO interests.

The SSC may co-opt non-voting members or ad-hoc experts when technical issues arise that require additional skills and expertise to enable the SSC to make sound judgements.

All in-person meetings of the SSC are open to members of the ASC and MSC executive, members of governance bodies, and stakeholder observers.

Reporting requirements

The Chair shall ensure that minutes of all proceedings at annual meetings of the SSC are recorded , and that these minutes include the names of those members of the SSC present at each such meeting, and all decisions and recommendations made by the SSC.

Decision-making procedure

Formal adoption of a new or revised standard shall rest with the ASC and MSC Boards following recommendation from the SSC. Adoption of a standard will only be confirmed where there is agreement between MSC and ASC Boards.



A summary of discussion leading to the decision to endorse a new or revised standard will be made publicly available.

9. Assessment of risks

In random order the ASC and MSC have identified the following risks for the project and the resulting standard and strategies to mitigate those risks:

Identified risks Risk mitigation strategy

1 The standard’s rigour and related implementation and certification costs may inhibit access to the scheme for small operators, particularly in developing countries.

The MSC and ASC are developing strategies (group certification, Risk-based Framework) to reduce costs of certification.

2 Seaweed operations may lack the data to provide evidence of compliance against the Seaweed Standard.

The ASC and MSC are developing strategies (Risk-based Framework) to allow data-poor operations to access the scheme.

3 Regulation of seaweed production and harvest may not be in place in many regions.

The MSC and ASC are developing strategies to ensure formal and informal management arrangement are taken into account during the assessment.

10. Contact information

Please contact [email protected] to submit any comments or complaints on this document and/or the Seaweed Standard development.

mailto:[email protected]

https://www.msc.org/documents/policy-documents/msc-asc-complaints-procedure

Documents

Terms of Reference for MSC-ASC Seaweed Standard Development · Rome. 223 pp. Terms of Reference ... In Regional workshop on the culture and utilization ... Terms of Reference (TOR)