GOED is a membership-driven trade association representing the EPA and DHA omega-3 industry with over 200 members from around the world. We are committed to the sustainability of our industry and, as such, are keen to glean a better sense of sustainability impacts across the sector and identify sustainability issues, including environmental, social, health, economic and governance issues, that can be improved.
Analytical Guidance for the Industry
Because the omega-3 category encompasses diverse source species and geographies, no single sustainability standard would fit the entire industry. To address this, GOED has commissioned an independent white paper that will provide recommendations on “life-cycle assessment” (LCA) parameters for category members worldwide. LCA is a well-established, data-specific environmental cost accounting method that scientifically assesses the broad environmental impacts of a company's products. This omega-3-specific guidance will help industry members understand which impacts on biodiversity, emissions, and energy, land, and water use a company should consider when comprehensively studying, compare or communicating the sustainability of their products.
The guidance is being published in three steps throughout 2026. The first step (a summary report characterizing the omega-3 category's LCA baseline status and key challenges) was published in February.
The second step, a high-level category LCA framework, was published in April.
Step three will feature practical advice for omega-3 companies conducting their own LCAs and will be published by the end of the year.