SSC Implementation Report 2020

The report evaluates how 27 UK seafood retailers, suppliers, and producers adhere to the SSC's voluntary codes for responsible sourcing and environmental claims. It finds high overall alignment, with 96% of members having sourcing policies in line with the codes and 88% meeting risk assessment requirements. However, it identifies inconsistencies in public transparency, the application of 'sustainably sourced' claims, and the assessment of marine ingredients in aquaculture feed. The report recommends updating the SSC website, expanding the scope of the codes to include pet food and flavourings, and incorporating human rights and IUU fishing into risk assessments.

• Overall adherence to the SSC Codes is high among the 27 commercially active members reviewed, with 96% possessing sourcing policies aligned with the Sourcing Code and 88% meeting risk assessment requirements.
• Public transparency regarding sourcing policies is limited, as only 56% of members make their sourcing policies available to the public.
• There is significant inconsistency in how members apply environmental claims, particularly regarding the 'sustainably sourced' label and the use of 'dolphin safe' or 'FAD-free' claims on canned tuna, which may confuse consumers.
• The assessment of marine ingredients in aquaculture feed is inconsistently applied, with some members relying on farm certifications that do not always require checks on the sustainability of wild-caught feed ingredients.
• Most members exclude pet food, nutritional supplements, and flavourings from the scope of the SSC Codes, although some are planning to include them.
• The SSC has provided a platform for collective advocacy, such as the North Atlantic Pelagics group and efforts regarding the Fisheries Bill, which members find more powerful than acting in isolation.
• The SSC's digital presence is considered outdated and difficult to navigate, hindering the public's ability to find the Codes and guidance documents.
• There is a growing interest among members to incorporate social compliance, human rights, and labour issues into the SSC's risk assessment and sourcing frameworks.

APA

Tindall, C. C., Siggs, M., & Pollard, I. (2020). SSC Implementation Report 2020. ClientEarth. https://www.clientearth.org/media/3kxifw5s/ssc-implementation-report-2020.pdf

Chicago

Tindall, Charmelian Charlotte, Melanie Siggs, and Iain Pollard. SSC Implementation Report 2020. ClientEarth, 2020. https://www.clientearth.org/media/3kxifw5s/ssc-implementation-report-2020.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Tindall |first1=Charmelian Charlotte |last2=Siggs |first2=Melanie |last3=Pollard |first3=Iain |title=SSC Implementation Report 2020 |publisher=ClientEarth |date=November 2020 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/3kxifw5s/ssc-implementation-report-2020.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{tindall2020ssc, author = {Tindall, Charmelian Charlotte and Siggs, Melanie and Pollard, Iain}, title = {{SSC Implementation Report 2020}}, institution = {ClientEarth}, year = {2020}, month = nov, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/3kxifw5s/ssc-implementation-report-2020.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }