Find what you are looking for

Go directly to content

Why ASC?

We set the standard for seafood. If you see the ASC label on pack, you can be sure that your seafood was farmed with care.

Our impact

By choosing ASC labelled seafood, you are making a proven, positive impact on people and the planet.

Get involved

Which seafood will you choose for dinner? We've got some suggestions.

Popular links

Follow us and stay up to date:

Certification

Join the most recognised certification programme as proof of your responsible farming practices to a global audience.

Our impact

ASC creates measurable positive change in global seafood farming.

Find out more

The ASC programme is successful because of all producers and partners involved. Read our reports and stories.

Certification

Join the most recognised certification programme and benefit from trading ASC certified seafood.

Our impact

ASC creates measurable, positive change in global seafood farming.

After certification

In addition to accessing our global network of secure and flexible supply, ASC partners benefit from marketing their ASC certified seafood.

New Audit Manual and training for bivalves

October 16, 2013

The Audit Manual for the ASC Bivalves Standard is already up and running. First Auditor Bivalves Training took place last week in Stirling, UK.

© Penn Cove Shellfish, LLC

The Audit Manual for the ASC Bivalves Standard has recently been approved following a successful pilot audit and review by the ASC Technical Advisory Group. This document guides both farmers and certifiers on how to achieve the ASC standard’s requirements by using examples of what auditors should pay attention to and what is required by farms.

Auditors trained on ASC Standard for bivalves

Thanks to the completion of the audit manual a group of auditors have been trained to assess farms against the ASC Bivalves Standard. The first training was held in Stirling (UK) last week. In addition, training for the ASC Salmon Standard took place at the same time in Stirling.

“The training sessions are important for the auditors to better familiarise themselves with the standard and to get a good understanding of how the farms will be audited against the criteria in the standard. And this, to the ASC, is important to get consistent audit results.” said ASC Standards Director Bas Geerts.

Tailor made training

Every ASC Standard has individual requirements. Auditors therefore need to be trained on each standard. The training covers all aspects of the assessment process. At the same time, Geerts considers that “it is a good way for the ASC to get feedback from auditing professionals on its standards and processes. This is put on record to inform further improvement of the ASC programme.”

Successful completion of the auditor training, including passing an exam, is a mandatory requirement of the ASC accreditation process.

Transparent process

ASC strives to have a fully transparent certification process. The announcement of a farm audit needs to be publicly visible for at least 30 days before the actual audit. Once the farm has been assessed by an accredited auditor, the next step is for the certifier to develop the draft farm audit report.

The draft report is posted for a minimum of 10 working days on ASC’s website. During this comments period, objections can be raised with the certifier who may include these considerations in an updated version of the audit report. The decision if a farm can become certified is also based on the last version of the report. The final audit report is published on the ASC web.

Confidental Infomation