Certification of chains of custody in aquaculture industry
ASC
Aquaculture Stewardship Council is global independent organisation, which is developing standards of sustainable and well-managed seafood market.
What is the impact of certification to the business?
With the ASC certificate, you verify that your products have passed the strict control of independent certification bodies and are recognized as sustainable, environmentally friendly, and can be traced to your consumers. Obtaining an ASC certificate discovers new opportunities for you, such as:
- Improving reputation among consumers
- New safe markets
- The ability to have a positive impact on the ecological situation in the world
- New promotional opportunities
- Contributing to the development of your farm
Certified companies
Certified companies
How to obtain ASC chain of custody certificate step by step
1
Application
The enterprise makes the decision on certification, fills in the application template and send it to UCSL.
The application contains main parameters of the business, which will determine the duration and cost of the audit.
The application contains main parameters of the business, which will determine the duration and cost of the audit.
2
Contract
After application review, UCSL provides the Client with a commercial offer with the cost and a procedure of certification. Once the offer is accepted and terms and conditions agreed, the Client and UCSL conclude a contract for certification.
The contract is not bounded by the certification period.
The contract is not bounded by the certification period.
3
Initial Audit
UCSL and Client schedules the initial audit.
The main issues to be checked at the initial audit are:
- identification of the manufactured products;
- products segregation (certified and non-certified);
- verified suppliers of ASC;
- tracing system testing;
- documentation system (incl. bookkeeping);
- training and information about the personnel
Based on the audit findings, UCSL provides a report to the Client; this report stipulates all non-conformities with the applicable ASC standard requirements.
The main issues to be checked at the initial audit are:
- identification of the manufactured products;
- products segregation (certified and non-certified);
- verified suppliers of ASC;
- tracing system testing;
- documentation system (incl. bookkeeping);
- training and information about the personnel
Based on the audit findings, UCSL provides a report to the Client; this report stipulates all non-conformities with the applicable ASC standard requirements.
4
Document review
Working with the report, its verification and approval. The Client provides documented evidence of closing or downgraded of non-conformities, the auditor evaluates the sufficiency of the actions taken by the client and the effectiveness of the corrective action plan to eliminate the non-conformities etc.
5
Certificate granting
Once the Client eliminates major non-conformities, the report is forwarded to the Certification Committee, that decides whether an ASC chain of custody certificate can be issued. In case of a positive decision of the Certification Committee the CoC certificate will be issued for 3 years.
6
Annual Audits
UCSL determines the frequency of audits individually with each client, depending on the type of activity of the company, it is 12 or 18 months. The purpose of such audits is to confirm the client's compliance with the ASC Standard and compliance with the Chain of Custody requirements, as well as to monitor the forehanded elimination of non-conformities