How The Fishery Certification Process Works
All previous RFM fishery certifications will remain current and will receive full recognition from CSI until either the next full reassessment or April 2, 2028 (whichever is later) to transition to the new CSI Fisheries Standard.
A Certification Body Conducts the Certification
An ISO 17065 accredited Certification Body (CB) will conduct the assessment of a fishery and award certification to a fishery meeting the Standard. The Certification Body is responsible for ensuring the competency and consistency of assessment practices.
Assessment Process
The assessment process from application to certification entails seven major steps as highlighted in the chart below. Re-certification occurs after a period of five years, with annual surveillance audits occurring throughout the life of the certificate to ensure continuing compliance with the Standard.
Stage 1
Application and Applicant Review
Applicant review is performed by an accredited Certification Body (CB).
Optional – Development of a validation report by the CB.
Stage 2
Notification to Public / Stakeholders
The CB announces notification of the assessment and the Assessment Team. Stakeholders register with the CB.
Stage 3
Assessment Verification / Information Review Site Visits, Assessment Report
Assessment verification and information review site visits are performed by the CB and its expert Assessment Team, and an assessment report is produced.
Stage 4
External Peer Review
External peer review is conducted by a minimum of two independent experts; these Peer Reviewers are not members of the CB staff or Assessment Team, but are under contract to the CB.
Stage 5
Draft Assessment Report for Comment Period
For both initial certifications and recertifications, the draft assessment report is made available for a 30-day comment period open to registered stakeholders. Comments may be submitted to the CB via their website.
Stage 6
Final Assessment Report
The final assessment report is presented to the CB’s Certification Committee. The report contains all information compiled during the previous steps and includes a recommendation from the Assessment Team for certification.
Stage 7
Certification Decision
The final certification decision is made by the CB’s independent Certification Committee. Committee members are not members of the Assessment Team or Peer Reviewers. The final assessment report and certification decision are posted on csicertified.org.
Stage 1
Notification to Public / Stakeholders
The CB announces notification of the Surveillance Assessment and Assessment Team.
Stage 2
Assessment Verification / Information Review Site Visits, Assessment Report
Assessment verification and information review site visits are performed by CB and its expert Assessment Team, and an assessment report is produced.
Stage 3
Final Surveillance Report
The final surveillance report is made public. The report contains all information compiled during previous steps and includes a recommendation from the Assessment Team for continued certification.
Stage 4
Annual Surveillance Certification Decision
The final certification decision is made by an independent certification Manager/Team who are not members of the Assessment Team or Peer Reviewers. The final surveillance report and Annual Surveillance certification decision are posted on csicertified.org.