Consultation on Criterion 1.3 – comments by close of Friday 19 December
SEG stakeholders are invited to comment on a proposed revision to the SEG Standard.
For more details on the proposed change and how to comment, see below:
Background and purpose
In November 2023 SEG published Version 7.0 of the SEG Standard after 9 months and 3 rounds of public consultation. In that, Criterion 1.3 was amended such that, to achieve certification, a client had to demonstrate that they were dealing in at least 95% certified eels from the glass eel supply chain:
| Responsible indicators | · The organisation trades in 95 – 100% of SEG certified responsibly sourced eel from the glass eel supply chain and has the documentation to demonstrate that. |
That was a significant change from the previous Standard where the target was 50%.
The threshold was increased for two reasons:
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By this time, approx. 80% of the French glass eel fisheries, which form the great majority of the supply in the EU, were SEG Certified. It was therefore considered that there was sufficient supply in the market for all buyers of glass eels who wanted to be SEG Certified, to purchase and sell 100% SEG certified.
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This was part of SEG’s drive and objective towards encouraging 100% of the sector to take up the Standard, signalled previously as one of SEG’s long term objectives.
Whilst there were no comments on this during consultation and the new criterion and standard were accepted, feedback and experience since has shown some unforeseen outcomes:
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The threshold increase from 50% to 95% was probably too much, too soon for some. SEG’s leadership and drive was going faster than the sector could manage and adjust to.
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It has reduced choice in the market for certified and non-certified eels. There are clients throughout the supply chain who wish to deal in both, depending on the needs of their customers and whether they wish or need to purchase a ‘responsibly sourced’ product.
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It is proving too big a step for those who have committed later than others to the SEG System.
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There have been local and national political challenges that have delayed the certification of fisheries, causing some to be temporarily uncertified, and others who wish to pause from certification.
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In short, a number of clients have stated that the target of 95% is too much, too soon in order to assist the sector to develop towards sustainability at a more manageable rate. They have asked SEG to consider reducing it.
This consultation therefore proposes options for a different threshold and describes some examples of risks and benefits for consultees to consider in order to provide their comments and opinions.
This single change is required relatively quickly, compared to a full standard review. It meets Clause 9.2 b) of the 102 SEG Standard Development and Revision Procedure V2.5, i.e. ‘Problems of implementation which affect multiple organisations; and is therefore be classified as an ‘Urgent Revision’.
Note that whilst organisations would be permitted to trade in a higher % of non-SEG certified products, only SEG certified products can still only be labelled as such and clearly separated from non-certified.
Note also that SEG’s longer term objective of 95 – 100% remains, and any lower threshold would be regarded as temporary, providing a stepping stone and more time for more of the sector to achieve it.
To achieve the standard, businesses must show that their work methods and handling practices meet the requirements of the SEG standard during an independent assessment. When the eels have also been sourced and tracked throughout the supply chain, then the claim for traceability can be validated with appropriate labeling.
It allows consumers and those in the supply chain to choose to purchase eels certified as caught, handled and traded responsibly, and according to best practice.
What is its purpose?
The purpose of the SEG standard has been defined, in support of SEG’s Theory of Change as:
To maximise the contribution of eel fishers, ranchers, aquaculturalists, traders and consumers of eel products to the restoration of healthy eel populations, distributed throughout their natural range, fulfilling their role in the aquatic environment and supporting sustainable use for the benefit of communities, local economies and traditions.
The standard has been developed as part of the solution for the sustainable recovery of the European eel. It is designed to:
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Enable operators to demonstrate high standards and their commitment to sustainability
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Encourage high and responsible standards through the supply chain, from fishery to market
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Encourage responsible practices and markets
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Provide confidence to consumers who wish to buy responsibly
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How does it work?
Gaining certification
This is a summary of the process to gain certification under the SEG standard:
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Client registers an interest to seek assessment and gain certification under the standard, by contacting Standard@SustainableEelGroup.org
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SEG provides contacts for approved Certification Bodies. This is available here.
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Client contacts a qualified Certification Body to arrange assessment
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Certification Body completes the assessment and provides a draft report for comment to the Client before finalising
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Certification Body provides confirms the outcome of the assessment to the Client, with certificate and supporting documentation (e.g. SEG Standard Conditions of Use)
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