ASC Get certified: Farms

Editor/Mohamed Shihab

Farms can get certified against one of our eight standards for responsible aquaculture. Learn how you can apply for certification below.

For Farms (ASC Farm Standards)

1 -Carefully read the relevant, species-specific standard’s pre-audit checklist! It lists all requirements a farm must meet prior to an audit.

2-Farm contacts ASC-accredited CAB2 (check: www.accreditation-services.com) – CAB sends information to farm.

3-Farm contracts ASC-accredited CAB. ASC strongly recommends asking more than 1 certifier to submit quotes for the work.

4-CAB informs ASC & ASI about planned audit (by using Form 3 of the Certification and Accreditation Requirements (CAR)) min. 30 days before audit; CAB shall inform updates within 5 days after any changes.

5-ASC publishes audit date at www.asc-aqua.org (Max. 3 days after being informed by CAB) to allow stakeholders to indicate their interest to be heard in audit process.

6-CAB sends audit information to farm.

7-CAB collects and lists all relevant stakeholders.

8-CAB assesses farm (includes receiving input from stakeholders).

9-CAB responds in writing to involved stakeholders how each stakeholder’s comments were addressed.

10-CAB processes audit findings & sends draft report to ASC.

11-ASC publishes draft report at www.asc-aqua.org within 5 days after receiving the document from the CAB.

12-Stakeholders can react to draft report (15 days) by addressing the CAB direct.

13-CAB processes stakeholder input.

14-CAB’s takes certification decision:

-compliant (certified)

-not (yet) compliant (not (yet) certified) – Based on level of non-compliancy, CAB and client can agree on a time-bound improvement plan

15-CAB sends final certification report and certificate to ASC

16-ASC publishes certification report and certificate at www.asc-aqua.org