IFFO RS seeks certification bodies with global reach, focusing on Asia and Africa

30-Jan-2020 - Last updated on 30-Jan-2020 at 14:14 GMT

To ensure assurance and to increase accessibility to its program, the organization behind the global standard for responsible sourcing of marine ingredients, IFFO RS, is calling for certification bodies (CBs) to apply to become an approved CB to certify against its standard.

IFFO RS describes itself as the leading, global, independent business to business certification program for the production of marine ingredients, namely fishmeal and fish oil. It holds the biggest share of the market with 52% of the world’s production IFFO RS certified. The program is owned by the IFFO RS governance body committee and operated by the IFFO RS secretariat.

IFFO RS works with third party accredited certification bodies that assess fisheries against independent and scientific criteria to meet the key principles of the UN FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

In terms of the criteria by which any additional certification bodies will be selected, Laura Shepherd, compliance and integrity manager, IFFO RS Limited, told this publication:

“The important thing is the capacity of the certification body to perform auditing and certification services to meet the needs and demands of the IFFO RS program. We are looking for a certification body that will have global reach with a strong focus or presence in Africa and Asia.”

Key requirements for certification bodies to become approved to audit against IFFO RS

ISO 17065 accreditation
Accreditation Body to be a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF)
Fishery Assessments
Global reach – focusing on Africa and Asia
Pay the set application fee

IFFO RS said it is recognized and endorsed throughout the marine ingredient value chain and by aquaculture certification program including BAP, ASC and Global GAP, as well as feed manufacturers, retailers and pet food manufacturers.

It currently works with certification bodies, SAI Global, and SGS Perú.

Certification bodies wishing to apply for approval to audit against the IFFO RS program can find a detailed breakdown of the requirements and the procedural approval process here.