Certifications That Matter: MSC, BAP, and HACCP Explained for Buyers

A practical, buyer-side checklist to know if you can print MSC or BAP logos, who needs Chain of Custody, how to verify certificates, and how to get packaging approved. Written by Indonesia-Seafood’s export team, based on real projects.

If you have ever sent packaging to print and then been told you can’t use the MSC or BAP logo, you know the pain. We’ve seen buyers scrap entire label runs and miss seasonal launches because of one missing certificate or an unchecked scope. The good news is there’s a simple system that keeps you out of trouble and gets approvals fast.

Here is the exact process we use with global buyers who want to put MSC or BAP on seafood packs coming out of Indonesia.

The 3 pillars of getting MSC/BAP on pack without delays

Chain clarity. Map exactly who owns, handles, repacks and labels the product from harvest to retail. If someone touches the product or claims it as certified, they likely need Chain of Custody (CoC).
Certificate verification. Confirm that each required entity is certified, in scope for the species and activities, and not suspended. Screenshots and PDFs go into a central file.
Artwork discipline. Get the right license, use the correct logo version, include the correct code, and submit files for approval before print. No exceptions.

Weeks 1–2: Do the market research and validation for your claim

We treat logo eligibility like product-market fit. You validate before you invest.

Build a one-page chain map. List every company in order. Note who takes legal ownership and who physically handles or relabels. In our experience, this single page prevents 3 out of 5 approval delays.
Collect certificate numbers. For MSC these look like MSC-C-XXXXX. For BAP, collect the BAP facility certificate numbers for processing plants, farms, hatcheries and feed mills if relevant.
Check scope line by line. Does your processor’s certificate include repacking? Does the distributor’s scope cover storage and distribution of certified goods? Are the species on scope? If you are sourcing wild-caught species like Yellowfin Saku (Sushi Grade), Yellowfin Steak or Bigeye Loin, confirm the fishery and product forms are covered.
Validate BAP stars for farmed species. For shrimp, 1 star means only the processing plant is certified. 2 stars adds the farm. 3 stars adds the hatchery. 4 stars adds the feed mill. Your on-pack star claim must match the certified coverage of your lot.

Quick takeaway. Before you talk about logo files, confirm your chain and scope. If a single link is missing or out of scope, your on-pack claim will be rejected.

Weeks 3–6: Create the “MVP” and test your artwork and licensing

Think of this as your minimum viable pack that the scheme owner can approve. Get one SKU fully approved. Then scale.

Decide who needs Chain of Custody. If you take legal ownership or physically handle, rework, relabel or open certified product, you need CoC. If you only receive sealed, tamper-proof consumer units and never rework them, you may not. But confirm this case by case with your certifier.
Get the right license. MSC requires an ecolabel license for whoever is using the logo on pack, usually the brand owner. BAP requires a Logo Use License from GSA for on-pack claims. This is separate from CoC certification and is often overlooked.
Prepare approval files. Expect to submit print-ready artwork, a color-accurate mockup, and the product spec. Include species common and scientific names, origin and production method, plus the correct certification code next to the logo. Use official colors, clear space and minimum size rules from the logo guidelines.
Expect timelines of 3–10 working days. We see simple MSC artwork go through in 3–5 days once the license and documents are complete. BAP is similar. Build in an extra week if you are new to the portal or using a private-label template for the first time.

Two small moves that save weeks. First, pre-approve a generic pack template with the scheme owner. Then roll that template across SKUs with only variable data changes. Second, align your printer on final PDF/X standards to avoid color disputes during approval.

Weeks 7–12: Scale and optimize across SKUs and markets

Once you have one SKU approved, create a repeatable playbook.

SKU-by-SKU matrix. For each SKU, record which fishery or farm lot it uses and which certificates and logo versions apply. Keep this living document with your artwork folder.
Segregation SOPs. Make sure certified lots are physically segregated and labeled, especially if you run both certified and non-certified product. In our plants, we use color-coded pallets and line-time booking to avoid mix-ups.
Contingency for suspension. If a supplier’s certificate goes suspended, you must stop new on-pack claims immediately. Existing inventory that was produced while the certificate was valid may remain compliant with proof, but check with your certifier and your retailer’s policy. Have backup artwork without logos and a plan to sticker or over-sleeve if needed.

Straight answers to the questions we get every week

Can I put the MSC logo on my package if only my supplier is MSC-certified?

Usually no. If you, as the brand owner, want your logo on the pack, you need an MSC ecolabel license and the chain from fishery through your packer must be CoC certified. The exception is when your supplier produces and sells you sealed, finished consumer packs under their license with your brand. In that case, they submit and hold the artwork approval and you do not apply the logo yourself.

Do I need my own MSC/BAP Chain of Custody, or is my co-packer’s certification enough?

If you never take legal ownership and you do not handle, open or relabel the product, your co-packer’s CoC may be sufficient. The moment you repack, relabel, or consolidate bulk into new packs, you need your own CoC in scope for those activities. For BAP, if you want a 2–4 star claim and you are the one repacking, you will need BAP CoC coverage or processing plant certification aligned to your role.

How do I check if a supplier’s MSC or BAP certificate is valid and covers my product?

Ask for the certificate number and a current PDF. Check the status in the scheme’s public directory. Confirm the scope includes your species, product form and activities like repacking or subcontracted storage. Save a dated screenshot to your QA folder. We recommend re-checking before every print run and every new PO.

What do BAP star ratings mean, and which logo can I use on retail packs?

1 star. Processing plant certified.
2 stars. Processing plant plus farm certified.
3 stars. Adds the hatchery.
4 stars. Adds the feed mill. Use only the star rating you can substantiate for the exact lot in pack. If you switch farm sources mid-season, re-validate before you roll the same packaging.

How long does MSC or BAP artwork approval take and what files do I submit?

Typical range is 3–10 working days after you have your license in place. Submit vector artwork, color-accurate mockups, and your product spec. Include the correct code near the logo as directed by the scheme. If your claim is changing, like moving from BAP 2-star to 4-star, budget an extra week.

Does HACCP certification allow me to use MSC or BAP logos on packaging?

No. HACCP is food safety. MSC and BAP are sustainability and responsible production programs. We see this confused a lot. HACCP is mandatory for food safety compliance, but it does not grant logo rights for MSC or BAP.

What happens to my packaging if a supplier’s MSC/BAP certificate gets suspended?

Stop printing and stop adding the logo to new production. For inventory already produced during the valid period, talk to your certifier and buyer. You may be allowed to sell through with documented proof of production date and segregation. In practice, many retailers require a rapid artwork switch, so keep a non-logo version ready.

Common mistakes that kill approvals (and how to avoid them)

Relying on a supplier’s word. Always verify status and scope in the directory and keep dated evidence.
Printing before approval. Artwork must be approved first. Build approval time into your critical path.
Missing activities in scope. Repacking and subcontracted storage are often forgotten. Ensure the right companies are covered.
Mixing certified and non-certified lots without ironclad segregation. One pallet mix-up can force a relabel.
Using the wrong BAP star after a mid-season source shift. Lock your star claim to the actual certified sources on that run.

Where this advice applies vs. when it doesn’t

This is for on-pack, consumer-facing claims for frozen seafood in retail and foodservice channels. If you are only making B2B non-consumer-facing references, different rules can apply and approval flows are lighter. If you buy sealed, finished packs produced under your supplier’s license, the supplier may handle approvals. When in doubt, get a 15-minute check done before you brief your designer. If you want us to review your chain map or artwork plan, Contact us on whatsapp.

How we help buyers get this right

As an Indonesian processor-exporter, we build MSC/BAP-ready supply chains for both wild and farmed species. For wild-caught, we can align eligible lots for tuna products like Yellowfin Saku (Sushi Grade) and Yellowfin Steak. For aquaculture, we can produce private-label shrimp runs to your specification when the star coverage is available on the lot. If you are exploring retail-ready packs for species like Grouper Fillet (IQF) or premium Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught), we can advise on the fastest route to logo eligibility and manage artwork submissions. Need a quick feasibility check on your SKU list? Call us.

Practical takeaway. Start with the chain map and scope check, secure the right licenses, then run one SKU through approval before scaling. Do those three and you will avoid 90 percent of the drama we see in real projects.