A box of quality branded skrei.
Marius Fiskum, Norges sjømatråd
The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) confirms that, starting with the 2026 fishing season, the tags used on fish and boxes will no longer include the year in order to reduce bureaucracy.
The Skriemärke system standard was revised in 2022, when new tags with a two-year validity period were introduced. The main objective of this change was to reduce the risk of misuse and fraud.
"The system with time-limited tags has proven to lead to unnecessary administration for both the industry and us, while also increasing risk and waste," detailed Marketing Manager for whitefish at the Norwegian Seafood Council, Sara Møllebakke.
For this reason, starting this autumn, the industry will be able to order new tags without a year, and the tags marked with the years 2024 and 2025 that are already in stock may continue to be used during 2026. In contrast, tags from previous years (2023/2024) may no longer be used, although they can be exchanged free of charge while supplies last.
The marketing and regulatory organization Norwegian Råfisklag has collaborated in this measure, which also includes an adjustment to the standard of the mark itself.
Finally, the Norwegian standardization organization Norsk Standard will send the proposal out for public consultation for a minimum period of four weeks. Comments on the proposal can be submitted, and contributions can also be sent directly to the NSC.
"Our assessment is that labels without year numbers will make the system more predictable, reduce waste, ease administration, and contribute to better environmental results, confirmed Møllebakken.
