MAC Certification covers both practices (industry operators, facilities and collection areas) and products (aquarium organisms).

Certification of Practices
Industry operators at any link in the chain of custody (collectors, exporters, importers, retailers, etc.) can seek to become MAC Certified by being evaluated for compliance with the appropriate MAC international Standard.

Certification of Products
MAC Certified marine ornamentals must be harvested from a MAC Certified collection area, or cultured in a MAC Certified facility, and pass from one MAC Certified operation to another, e.g., from collector to exporter to importer to retailer. MAC Certified marine organisms bear the 'MAC Certified' label on the tanks and boxes in which they are kept and shipped.

Accredited Certifiers
To ensure that MAC Certification is credible and internationally acceptable, MAC does not verify compliance with its own international Standards. It accredits independent third-party certification companies, which in turn assess compliance to the appropriate MAC international Standard.

SOCs signers versus MAC Certified companies

A company, which is MAC Certified, has been assessed by a third independent party for its compliance with the MAC international Standard, corresponding to its activity. It has the right to sell “MAC Certified organisms”, under the conditions described hereabove (Certification of Products).