Multi-site certification scheme
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has launched a 30-day public consultation for multi-site certification methodology – developed to enable companies owning 5-50 sites within the same jurisdiction to achieve certification for all locations in one go.
To qualify for multi-site certification, the organisation must have a central office managing the sites' compliance with the ASC standard through a documented management system.
A number of samples will be selected and audited by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) using risk-assessment in combination with a random sampling approach.
The goal is to achieve the maximum level of assurance that is credible yet affordable, applied consistently across different farms and CABs. With this approach efficiency for both farms and the ASC will increase significantly.
Multi-site is different from group certification. Each methodology has its own set of requirements. Public comment period for group certification will take place separately within quarter one 2016.
Stakeholders are invited to have their say during a public comment period that runs until 4th March.
All comments will be considered before the launch of the new methodology in the second quarter of this year. To submit your comments email standards@asc-aqua.org.
