SPS 6.0 introduces a modular structure, centered around core food safety requirements aligned with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
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The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has officially launched Version 6.0 of its Seafood Processing Standard (SPS), introducing a comprehensive and modular approach to seafood certification.
The Seafood Processing Standard (SPS) is the only seafood-specific standard for processing plants, and complements the GSA's other standards for wild-caught and farm-raised seafood.
"GSA works with industry experts who understand seafood and the audit process at all steps in the supply chain, including the processing plant. GSA also works with the marketplace and producers to help meet responsible sourcing demands and ensure availability of certified volume," the organization states.
This latest version aims to enhance food safety, audit efficiency, and consumer confidence for both farm-raised and wild-caught seafood, the GSA stated, announcing the new framework, which continues to cover the "four pillars of responsible seafood": social accountability, environmental responsibility, food safety and animal welfare.
SPS 6.0 introduces a modular structure, centered around core food safety requirements aligned with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). This framework includes ten specialized modules designed to address the unique needs of individual facilities and production processes:
Animal Welfare: Focuses on live animal handling and slaughter.
Effluent Discharge: Targets non-remote wild processors managing water discharges.
Enhanced Social: Involves unannounced audits by specialized teams, meeting Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) standards.
Finished Product Testing: Mandates product testing for medium to high-risk facilities.
Low Acid Canned Foods: Covers thermal processing for low-acid canned products.
Outsourcing: For facilities utilizing outsourced activities.
Product Identity: Ensures claims related to Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) or Best Seafood Practices (BSP).
Ready to Eat (RTE): Pertains to facilities producing ready-to-eat products.
Remote Wild-Caught Environmental: Caters to wild processors in remote environments.
Social Responsibility: Mandatory for facilities opting out of the Enhanced Social module.
The new standard is designed to improve audit efficiency and provide more tailored, comprehensive certification for seafood processors worldwide, GSA says, noting that advanced data capture and reporting technologies will play a critical role in the updated audit processes.
GSA will conduct a webinar on Thursday, December 5 introducing key features of SPS 6.0 and its new audit and reporting processes, including a live Q&A session. The Alliance will begin accepting all applications to SPS 6.0 in mid-2025 and will fully replace Issue 5.1 from November 5, 2025. GSA is now inviting those interested in being audited according to the updated standard to contact the team via this page.
The Global Seafood Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its certification programs, GSA has become the leading provider of assurances for wild and farmed seafood globally.
The organization’s work addresses the full spectrum of responsibility, from environmental responsibility and social accountability to food safety. Established in 1997 as the Global Aquaculture Alliance, GSA is headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA.
