The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) Seafood Processing Standard (SPS) Issue 6.0 is available for public comment, with GSA confirming that a 60-day public comment period will end on 27 August 2023.
According to the NGO, its SPS Issue 6.0 has been restructured to include a core set of requirements for all processing plants, with separate modules to accommodate production processes that may not occur at every processing facility.
With this new format, facilities are assessed to all clauses that fall within the core of the SPS, as well as any modules that fall within the scope of the seafood processing production at that facility.
“We are excited to present SPS 6.0 to our global partners and stakeholders. Issue 6.0 incorporates innovative features that offer customised third-party certification audits to the individual scope of both aquaculture and wild-caught seafood processing plants,” GSA’s VP of Programme Integrity Chris Weeks said. “When combined with the Enhanced Social Standard, SPS 6.0 embodies a robust supply chain assurance programme designed for alignment to internationally recognised global food safety and social benchmark initiatives.”
The revised format is expected to enhance overall audit efficiency for plants under assessment, improve applicability for wild-capture seafood processors and provide clearer clause language with corresponding interpretation guidance.
Modules include:
- Ready-to-eat products
- Outsourcing
- Animal welfare
- Effluent discharge
- Product identity
- Low-acid canned foods
- Environmental module for remote wild-capture processors
- Finished product testing
GSA advises that all comments received during the public comment period will be carefully considered for inclusion in the final drafts.
All properly submitted comments and GSA’s response will be public, however, the author will be anonymous. The drafts of the SPS and accompanying modules are available on the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Best Seafood Practices (BSP) websites.
