Responsible Aquaculture (ASC) Certification

ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) is a certification scheme showing that aquaculture is carried out in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Farm standards are species-specific (salmon, shrimp, tilapia, seabass/seabream, etc.). Chain of Custody (CoC) certification is additionally required for the product to be traced through to the consumer.

• Fish and shrimp farms
• Aquaculture processing facilities
• Aquaculture import and distribution firms
• Those supplying sustainable aquaculture products to retail

Voluntary. It is increasingly requested in European and North American retail because of sustainable-sourcing commitments.

• Legal compliance and operating permits
• Protection of natural habitat and biodiversity
• Water quality and discharge management
• Responsible sourcing of feed and the feed-conversion ratio
• Disease management and limiting the use of antibiotics and chemicals
• Escape prevention and genetic integrity
• Worker rights, health and safety
• Community relations
• Traceability and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• GlobalG.A.P.Good Agricultural Practice
• MSCSustainable Fisheries
• OrganicOrganic Product
• ISO 22000Food Safety Management
• FSSC 22000Food Safety System
• HACCP
• GMPGood Manufacturing Practice
• GMP+Feed Safety