MEL Certification

MEL certification is a fisheries eco-labelling certification originating in Japan. When the certification scheme was launched in December 2007, it was initially run as an internal business within the Japan Fisheries Association, but in response to growing interest in fisheries eco-labelling both domestically and internationally, the Marine Eco-Label Japan Council (MEL Council), a general incorporated association, was established in December 12 to manage and operate the system as the scheme owner. It certifies fisheries and aquaculture businesses that are considerate of the sustainability of marine resources and the environment at the production stage, and at the distribution stage certifies businesses that use those fishery products for distribution and processing. There are 2016 businesses that have obtained MEL certification, with 12 fisheries certifications, 207 aquaculture certifications, and 22 distribution and processing stage certifications (CoC) 125 cases (as of January 2023, 1).

MEL-certified seafood products can be labeled with the MEL seafood eco-label shown below.

The MEL Council has defined its mission as "protecting Japan's diverse nature, fish species, fishing methods, processing and distribution, and diverse fish-eating culture, while using these strengths to contribute to the healthy and prosperous lives of people in Japan and around the world," and has been working toward international standardization in order to create a fishery eco-label that is recognized worldwide as a Japanese-made eco-label to protect Japan's fishery industry and national interests.Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing"and"Guidelines for seafood ecolabellingIn December 2.0, the MEL certification (fishery standard Ver. 1.0, aquaculture standard Ver. 2019), whose certification standards and regulations have been updated in line with the GSSI Global Benchmark Tool, was deemed to meet international standards.GSSIwas approved.

In addition, GSSI began its Monitoring of Continued Alignment (MOCA) in December 2020. During the process, which included an audit by expert reviewers, a review by the Benchmark Committee, and a 12-day public consultation, several issues were identified from an international perspective. However, the company's sincere efforts to continue making improvements with the cooperation of relevant parties were highly praised, and on November 30, 2021, GSSI announced that the MOCA for MEL certification had been completed.

Fisheries certification at the production stage consists of the following three requirements:

1. The requirement that the fishery be conducted under an established management regime
2. Requirements regarding maintaining a sustainable level of use of the target resource
3. Requirements regarding appropriate measures to conserve ecosystems

MEL's fisheries certification is characterized by its evaluation based on the high biodiversity and wide variety of aquatic organisms, as well as the high proportion of small-scale businesses that utilize these organisms; its evaluation is based on scientific evidence while taking into account the distinctive feature of Japan's fisheries industry, namely, integrated resource management systems that have been historically and traditionally carried out by local communities, including forests, farmland, and rivers; and its evaluation of the mutual effectiveness of resource management laws, government plans, and voluntary efforts in each region.

Aquaculture certification at the production stage consists of the following four requirements:

1. To steadily fulfill social responsibilities in aquaculture production activities
2. Consider the health and welfare of the target aquatic organisms
3. Food safety is ensured
4. Consideration of environmental conservation

MEL aquaculture certification is characterised by its firm incorporation of the concept of animal welfare, and for feed farming, it requires management in terms of the raw materials and procurement routes (traceability), as well as medication and food safety.

In order to ensure that the certification is fair and objective, it is carried out by an independent "certification body" separate from the scheme owner.

In order to distribute seafood that has been produced at a production stage that has acquired MEL certification (certified seafood), and to have consumers recognize that it is sustainable and environmentally friendly, MEL chain of custody (CoC) certification is required to prove that it will not be mixed with non-MEL certified seafood products in the process until it is delivered to the consumer. Major mass retailers such as the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union and Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. have acquired MEL CoC certification, and products with MEL certified eco-labels are sold in their stores.

<References>
Marine Eco-Label Japan Council Official Website
https://www.melj.jp/
https://www.melj.jp/2635
Marine Eco-Label Japan (MEL) V2 certification
https://www.ourgssi.org/gssi-recognized-certifcation/mel-japan