Effects of green certification and labelling on the Spanish fisheries industry

Abstract Fisheries and aquaculture are incorporating environmental management system (EMS) tools and certified sustainable products as part of their strategic priorities. Firms have different ways to certify their environmental actions: the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 and the blue Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). ISO 14001 certifies the adoption of EMSs; and the MSC label guarantees the use of seafood that can be traced back to a sustainable resource. The economic impact and the differences between eco-labeling certifications are topics of great interest for environmental management. This paper analyzes and compares the effect of ISO14001 and the MSC on the results of the Spanish fishing auxiliary industry. We analyzed data from 561 Spanish firms and deployed a multivariate quantitative analysis with data retrieved from the financial accounts of Spanish fish processing and preserving firms, in different economic and financial ratios. Results show that certified firms get better economic ratios, although these benefits are not due to an operational efficiency improvement. Firm size is found to have a moderating effect on the relation between certification and economic performance. Environmental certification on firms’ performance provides key information for environmental management-related decision making.