Sustainable Food Laboratory

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In EU, ecolabels are coming into wide use in a number of sectors. Fisheries products are no exception to this trend. Such labels correspond to consumer expectations in terms of information and transparency, and can serve as a financial incentive for producers to switch to more responsible fishing practices. But their growing number and the objective realities they cover can be a source of confusion for the public. That is why the European Commission (EC) has initiated, a wide debate on the ecolabelling of fisheries products.

1. Three options were considered by the EC: Non-action and freedom to develop ecolabels schemes on the market, without any intervention and control,
2. To create a unique EU ecolabel scheme,
3. To establish minimum requirements for private ecolabels scheme, sort of “label of labels”.

Clearly in favor of option 3, the EC has mandated a Group of experts in charge of defining minimum requirements for “responsible fishing” ecolabel schemes in accordance with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. If the minimum require- ments option is finally chosen (final decision must be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union), the Commission will propose a breakdown of criteria into 5 points, in accordance with the FAO Guideline for the Ecolabelling of Fish and Fishery products from Marine Capture Fisheries.

1. Precise, objective and verifiable technical criteria – An ecolabel has to deliver what it promises. Consumers should be able to monitor and measure whether the promise is being kept. Vague promises of sustainable fishery practices, for example, are not enough. Concrete sustainability criteria have to be defined: management plan, taking of adult fish only, selective gears, etc.
2. Independent third-party accreditation process – In accordance with the ISO 14.024 guidance standard, the different parties involved in the award of an eco-label must be independent from one another. The accreditation body establishes label criteria; it grants accreditation to certification bodies that check whether the product conforms to the criteria and grants certification, in other words, the right to bear the logo.
3. Open access – An ecolabelling scheme must be open to all operators, without discrimination, to avoid creating barriers to the free movement of goods. This is an obligation under international trading rules. The aim of this requirement is to keep from excluding the developing countries and small and medium-sized enterprises.
4. Strict controls – In addition to accreditation/certification procedures, ecolabelling schemes must be properly controlled to ensure that they comply with the minimum requirements, that certification is satisfactory and that the information provided to consumers is accurate.
5. Transparency – Consumers should know what criteria are covered by an ecolabel and should thus have easy access to information on the certification standard. Product information at the point of sale should also reflect the certification criteria, to keep from misleading consumers.

06/29/2005: adoption of the communication “Launching the debate on a Community approach towards ecolabelling schemes for fishery products” (COM(2005/275))*;
11/25/2005: consultation with stakeholders on ecolabelling (EC);
03/10/2006: 1st meeting of the expert group on ecolabelling (EC);
11/21/2006: Final report of the expert group on ecolabelling for fishery products (C/4/VA D(2006) 14344);
2nd semester 2007: presentation of the final report to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for final adoption.