Consumer Input on Chain-of-Custody Tracking Standards for Use by the Fisheries, Forestry, Agriculture and Food Industries

Organization

Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC)

Published

2003

Summary

In Canada, there are standards developed for a number of products and services. For this report, chain-of-custody (C-o-C) tracking standards used by the forestry, fishery, agriculture and food industries were reviewed to determine the key elements of a credible C-o-C system/standard. For forestry, the voluntary Canadian Standards Association Sustainable Forest Management Standard, as well as the voluntary Forest Stewardship Council's Principles & Criteria were used as they are the only 2 forest management based standards with a chain-of-custody tracking system in place. For fisheries, the Marine Stewardship Council certification was examined, as it is internationally recognized, currently under development in Canada, and the only fisheries standard with a chain-of-custody and label option for application in Canada. The food and agriculture sector has numerous chain-of-custody and tracing options that are in different stages of development, but for the most part, there is no easy way to assess which ones should be reviewed for the purposes of this report, given budget considerations, clearly not all could be reviewed. A quick review of some of the coffee labels and associated certification standards in use revealed the overwhelming task and breadth of options. The diamond sector falls outside the scope of this report but was reviewed nonetheless as it is an interesting case study which shows how a government agency has effectively engaged and linked itself to a regional product certification and related promotion.

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database