GSA Seeks Pilots for Seafood Processing Standard Issue 6.0
The latest issue of the Seafood Processing Standard (SPS), which adopted a new format from the previous issue 5.1, has been approved by the Board of Directors and is ready for pilots, the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced on January 4.
GSA is seeking processing plants to pilot SPS Issue 6.0. The standard has been restructured to include a core set of requirements for all plants, with separate modules to accommodate production processes that may not occur at every processing facility. With this new format, processors are assessed to all clauses within the core of SPS, as well as any relevant modules that fall within the scope of the facility’s seafood processing production.
This new format was developed to improve the audit process while providing the same assurances for farm-raised and wild-capture seafood processors. Specifically, the new structure is expected to enhance overall audit efficiency, improve applicability for wild-capture seafood processors and create a more customized, comprehensive certification option for seafood processors globally.
“SPS is truly distinctive in that it is the only seafood-specific processing plant standard in the world,” said Wally Stevens, CEO of GSA. “Issue 6.0 offers a new customized approach for farm-raised and wild-caught processors that increases audit efficiency and relevancy while maintaining the robust assurances SPS is known for, including unique environmental and social coverage.”
SPS covers all pillars of responsible seafood – social accountability, food safety, environmental responsibility, traceability and animal welfare as appropriate. SPS can also provide added assurances and traceability to Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) reporting on FisheryProgress.org. SPS is already a common element within a vast majority of seafood supply chains – currently more than 500 processing plants are SPS-certified and the standard is endorsed by marketplace leaders across the globe.
To learn more about how you can get involved in a pilot for SPS 6.0, reach out to our Program Integrity team here. You can also visit this page to learn more about SPS and how to add it to your responsible seafood story.
About Global Seafood Alliance
The Global Seafood Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its certification programs, GSA has become the leading provider of assurances for wild and farmed seafood globally. The organization’s work addresses the full spectrum of responsibility, from environmental responsibility and social accountability to food safety. Established in 1997 as the Global Aquaculture Alliance, GSA is headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA. To learn more, visit www.globalseafood.org.
