Common solution for fish traceability

GS1 Finland, together with fisheries companies, retailers, wholesalers and authorities, is developing a common approach to the management and exchange of batch and traceability data for fish across the entire value chain.

The EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) sets requirements for the traceability, data management and reporting of fishery products. Operators must be able to collect, store and exchange product information throughout the supply chain with both competent authorities and trading partners. 

While solutions are already in place in the sector to support compliance with CFP requirements, challenges related to data management and information exchange remain. The key issue is not the lack of data, but that it does not flow between operators in a sufficiently consistent and therefore efficient way. Information is dispersed across different systems and operator-specific solutions, making it difficult to utilise and share. A common solution is expected to facilitate compliance, improve the flow of information and reduce manual work throughout the food chain.

The solution is being built in phases

The Common solution for fish traceability initiative brings together the perspectives of fisheries companies, retailers, wholesalers and authorities to develop a future operating model that would support both regulatory requirements and the practical needs of operators. The aim is to implement a common solution for how batch-specific traceability data could be managed and exchanged from one operator to another more efficiently than at present. The initiative will progress in projects, and at the end of each project a decision will be made on whether to proceed to the next project.

Project 1: Vision and objectives was carried out in summer 2026. As its outcome, a common batch data management system was proposed as the solution, enabling operators across the fish value chain to manage and retrieve the batch and traceability data they need. Based on the proposal, a decision was made to launch the next project, in which the content, operating model and technical implementation of the traceability solution will be defined in greater detail.

Phase 1: Vision and objectives

In the project  Common solution for fish traceability: Vision and Objectives, carried out in the summer of 2026, companies in the fisheries sector, retailers, wholesalers, and authorities collaborated to develop a vision for the future management of fish traceability data. The project assessed legal requirements and identified a shared target state capable of addressing current challenges in data exchange. Based on this work, a joint batch data management system was proposed as the solution, enabling actors across the fish value chain to manage and retrieve the batch and traceability data they require.

Tasks and objectives

The objectives of the project were to:

  • identify the CFP and related reporting requirements for fish traceability
  • assess the current state of fish traceability information exchange between stakeholders across the food chain
  • evaluate challenges associated with current operating models and information exchange practices
  • establish a shared vision for the future target state.

The project produced:

  • an assessment of the data requirements necessary for fish traceability
  • a visualised model of the core functionalities required for an industry-wide solution
  • a proposal for proceeding to a specification project, during which the implementation approach and required resources would be defined in more detail.

Project timetable

6.5.–14.8.2026

Project organisation

The project is coordinated by GS1 Finland and includes representatives from Finnforel, Hätälä, Kalamakasiini, Kalaneuvos / Martin Kala, Kesko, Kespro, Lerøy Finland, Meira Nova, Pielisen Kalajaloste, PNM-Chipsters, the Finnish Food Authority, SOK, the Finnish Fish Farmers’ Association and Valio Aimo.

 

Project 2: Specification

On 11 January 2027, together with fisheries and retail companies and authorities, we will launch a co-development project in which we will continue the work started in 2026 and move from the identified need and target state towards the specification of a common batch data management system.

Project tasks and objectives

The task of the project is to specify:

  • the critical information content required by the CFP and its common data model
  • the operating model for managing batch-specific data
  • the principles for identifiers, interfaces and information exchange
  • the principles for integrations towards authority
  • the solution’s governance and funding model
  • a plan for implementing the solution.

The specification will take into account the different operators in the value chain and their varying capabilities. The aim is to enable phased progress so that the change does not become unreasonable, particularly for smaller operators.
The project will result in a specification that can be used to assess the implementation of a common batch data management system and the prerequisites for possible piloting.

Project timetable

11.1.–31.5.2027

Project organisation

GS1 Finland coordinates and facilitates the project as part of the Interoperable Traceability program. The project also includes authority representation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Finnish Food Authority and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Southwest Finland. We are also inviting fisheries companies to join the project.

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