Regular operational reviews ensure the continued efficiency of the various ASC standards. They are focused on areas where the performance of a particular standard is not as anticipated, or may not deliver on the intent as set out in the ASC’s Theory of Change.
To learn more about the Certification and Accreditation Requirements, watch the webinar narrated by Efrain Calderon, Head of Certification Assurance Team.
August 2020 Update – CAR V2.3 & RUoC Public Consultation
Two new normative documents are being published for a 60-day public consultation (3 August – 3 October 2020) Status: Closed
- ASC CAR v2.3
- ASC Requirements for Units of Certification (RUoC)
The two documents provide structure that further strengthens a number of areas across the certification process from application to certification decision and subsequent surveillance and certification updates.
The main areas of change in the CAR v2.3 include:
- new structure following the certification process,
- inclusion of Q&A and Variance Requests (VRs),
- new areas to strengthen assurance (e.g. sampling & testing, traceability evaluation, remote auditing, unannounced audits, non conformity reporting by clients, critical non conformities, due diligence),
- reporting requirements,
- changes from ‘working days’ to ‘calendar days’.
The new ASC RUoC has been created with a similar structure to the amended CAR (also following the certification process) to facilitate better understanding of how to comply with the certification process requirements for the applicant/certificate holder.
ASC encourages interested stakeholders to read the documents and provide comments, notably on a series of six questions. Following the public consultation, ASC will collate all feedback and prepare a synopsis of feedback received for publication on the ASC website.
Contact person: Efrain Calderon, Head of Certification Assurance Team
Timeline
It is anticipated that the ASC CAR v 2.3 and ASC RUoC will become effective and mandatory from March 2022 onwards.

Previous public consultation (14 March – 14 May 2019):
ASC had taken steps to strengthen the assurance system for social audits with additions to the Certification and Accreditation Requirements (CAR) with notably the inclusion of a new Social Audit Methodology (SAM).
Those proposed 2019 updates to the CAR were to be considered by:
- first reading the Social Auditing Methodology narrative,
- then reviewing Annex F – Templates for social auditing,
- and ASC Social Risk Assessment Calculator.
Click here to read the Summary of Public Consultation Feedback on ASC Social Audit Methodology.
[Page last updated on 08.10.2020]
Consultation period:
- 3 August - 3 October 2020
- Status: Closed
Public consultation II
Documents
Consultation period:
- 14 March - 14 May 2019
- Status: Closed
Public consultation I
Documents
- ASC CAR Public Consultation Draft 2019
- ASC Social Auditing Methodology Narrative Draft 2019
- Annex F - Templates for social auditing
- ASC Social Risk Assessment Calculator
- Summary of Public Consultation Feedback on ASC Social Audit Methodology
Received feedback
Feedback on the proposed updates to the social audit requirements can be submitted in the following manner:
-
- Survey on the ASC Social Audit Methodology
- Feedback on the strengthened Social Auditing Methodology:
- Via the Stakeholder Comment Submission Form
Webinar
Webinars on the Social Auditing Methodology for the CAR will take place on the following time and date:
- 2 May 2019, 14:00 CET
Registration for one of the webinars above can be done by sending an email to info@asc-aqua.org please include in your email:
- 1. First name
- 2. Family name
- 3. Company/organisation
- 4. Email address
Dial-in information will be shared upon registration.
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