The world's first ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification acquired by the Euglena
-For the first time in algae, certified as a foodstuff that contributes to the universal goal "SDGs" set by the United Nations-

Euglena Co., Ltd.
Yaeyama Shokusan Co., Ltd.
ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council)
MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)

　Co., Ltd. Euglena (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo, hereafter, Euglena), Euglena Group Yaeyama Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, President: Ryohei Nakano, hereafter Yaeyama Sangyo), ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Headquarters: Utrecht, Netherlands, Representative: Chris Nines, hereafter ASC) And MSC (Marine Stewardship Council, Headquarters: London, England, Representative: Rupert Howes, hereafter MSC) are Euglena and Yaeyama Sangyo produce microalgae in Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture. Euglena (Japanese name: Midorimushi, hereinafter Euglena raw material) and Yaeyama Macrorera (hereinafter chlorella raw material) will be released on January 23, 2019. Obtained "ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification" for the first time in the world I will inform you that you have done it.

　　　　　Left: Judges visit the culture facility　　　　　　　　　　 　　 Right: ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification certificate

　ASC certification is an international certification system for marine products produced by responsible aquaculture methods that consider the environment and society, and the certification has been obtained at 737 farms in 39 countries (as of December 2018). I am. MSC certification is an international certification system for marine products caught in sustainable and environmentally friendly fisheries. It has been certified in 360 fisheries, and the amount of landings by certified fisheries is about 1 of the world's total catch. It accounts for a percentage (as of December 2018). Both ASC certification and MSC certification have been adopted not only as one of the "Sustainable Food (Marine Products) Procurement Standards" of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also SDGs ^* (Sustainable Development Goals) It is also noted that it contributes to the achievement of possible development goals), and the number of certifications obtained is increasing year by year among the countries of the world.

　Until now, ASC certification was applied only to some fish, shellfish, and shrimp among aquaculture products, and MSC certification was applied only to natural seafood, both of which were not applicable to seaweed. And MSC have put into effect the first jointly formulated standard, "ASC-MSC Seaweed (Algae) Certification". The Euglena raw material and chlorella raw material produced by Euglena and Yaeyama Sangyo have acquired "ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification" for the first time in the world. The acquisition of this certification is in the "2018 Okinawa International Logistics Center Utilization Promotion Project Subsidy", which was adopted by Euglena and Yaeyama Sangyo in April 2018 from the Okinawa General Bureau of the Cabinet Office. , Okinawa Prefecture Chlorella and Midorimushi "Eco-certification project" is part of.

SDGs working to acquire "ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification"

　Mitsuru Izumo, President and CEO of Euglena Euglena raw materials and chlorella raw materials produced by the Euglena Group have obtained the world's first ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification. To obtain ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification, which is a global standard, from the desire that customers not only in Japan but also overseas customers can enjoy Euglena raw materials and chlorella raw materials grown in the beautiful nature of Japan with peace of mind. We hope that it will help you to recognize that algae are also sustainable ingredients in the world. "
　Euglena on the acquisition of the first common standard, which is the fruit of the collaboration and close collaboration between MSC and ASC, in various areas of algae. As the use of euglena progresses, it is important to reduce the environmental and social impacts of rapidly growing production around the world. ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification is all involved in the production of this important marine product. The goal is for people to enjoy the benefits of this. "
　Euglena 's breakthrough use of algae contributes significantly to food security, marine health, and the achievement of multiple goals of the United Nations SDGs," said Rupert Howes, CEO of MSC. Congratulates us for being the first in the world to obtain ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification. We hope that this certification will be the beginning of widespread penetration into the algae industry in the future. " I am.

　Euglena raw materials and chlorella raw materials have acquired for the first time in the world are as follows.

^{* SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals): A universal goal from 2016 to 2030 set by the United Nations Headquarters in September 2015 with the aim of creating a sustainable society.
The acquisition of "ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification" contributes to "12 responsibility to make and use responsibility" and "14 to protect the richness of the sea".}

About acquisition of "ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification"

■ Certification date: January 23, 2019
■ Certification body: ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)
■ Certified companies: Euglena Co., Ltd., Yaeyama Shokusan Co., Ltd.
■ Manufacturing location: Euglena Group's Yaeyama Shokusan Co., Ltd.
■ Certification details: The Euglena Group has acquired "ASC-MSC seaweed (algae) certification" for Euglena raw materials and chlorella raw materials produced in Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture. (Certification number: CII-AMITA-0001)

<About microalgae Euglena >
　Microalgae Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena) is a type of alga that has the characteristics of both plants and animals and contains abundant types of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals in a well-balanced manner. In 2005, Euglena Co., Ltd. succeeded in mass edible outdoor culture for the first time in the world.

<About Yaeyama Chlorella>
　Chlorella, a microalgae, is a type of unicellular plant belonging to chlorophyll algae that grows naturally in freshwater. Among them, Yaeyama Chlorella, which Yaeyama Sangyo handles, is characterized by well-balanced nutrients and is registered as a trademark in the United States as "YAEYAMA".

About euglena Co., Ltd.
　euglena Co. listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange (Ticker: 2931), is the first biotechnology venture company in the world that succeeded in outdoor mass cultivation of microalgae “Euglena” in 2005. We currently operate a Healthcare Business for marketing “Euglena” functional foods/cosmetics and an Energy & Environment Business promoting R&D for biofuel production. https://euglena.jp

<About Yaeyama Shokusan Co., Ltd.>
　We cultivate and produce Euglena and Chlorella with the philosophy of "a company that contributes to the health of people all over the world" and "a company that coexists with the beautiful nature that Okinawa Prefecture is proud of". Euglena Group in 2013 and obtained the international standard FSSC22000 certification for quality control and quality assurance, KOSHER and HALAL certification, and supplies safe and hygienic high-quality Euglena and chlorella. ..

<About ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council)>
　An international non-profit organization that operates a certification system for marine products produced by responsible aquaculture that takes the environment, local communities and people into consideration. Established in 2010 with the support of WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and IDH (Netherlands Sustainable Trade Organization). As of August 2018, more than 14,000 ASC-labeled aquaculture products with ASC labels are on sale in 70 countries around the world, and are handled by Aeon, Co-op, Ito-Yokado, etc. in Japan. It is https://www.asc-aqua.org/jp

<About MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)>
　An international non-profit organization that manages and promotes the fisheries ecolabel certification system for sustainable natural fisheries. Established in 1997 with its headquarters in London, it currently has offices in about 20 countries and is active all over the world. The Japan office was established in 2007. As of August 2018, more than 30,000 marine products with the MSC "Marine Stewardship Council" are on sale in about 100 countries around the world, and are handled by Aeon and Co-op in Japan. https://www.msc.org/

* Click here for the PDF version.

​ ​

-Contact for inquiries from the press-
Euglena Co., Ltd. Corporate Communication Division