Go directly to content
ASC Programme Assurance
Underpinning the ASC Certification Programmes, the ASC Assurance Net provides reliable coverage and risk mitigation through thorough verification and innovation.
Why is assurance important?
Consumers are increasingly concerned and interested in the integrity of their seafood. This means retailers, the whole supply chain and other stakeholders are demanding greater levels of assurance from seafood supply chains, even all the way back to the feed used of farms.
The ASC Assurance Net enables you to confidently answer questions such as:
- “Does this product actually come from ASC certified farms?”
- “Does it ensure the safety of the farm workers?”
- “Has it been fed using responsible feed?”
- “Is antibiotic use controlled?”
- “Has it been mixed with non-ASC certified seafood?”
What is ASC Programme Assurance?
ASC Programme Assurance provides stakeholders with confidence that the ASC Standards are effectively implemented and audited. It ensures the integrity of ASC certified supply chains and ASC labelled seafood, delivered by:
- Continuously improving ASC Certification and Accreditation methodologies
- Training auditors to deliver audits that meet ASC intent and the market demand
- Working with Assurance Services International (ASI) to effectively and efficiently oversee performance of accredited CABs and their auditors
- Collaborating with MSC – who operate the Chain of Custody Standard we use – to ensure product integrity
- Constantly developing, implementing and improving tools and methodologies to streamline processes for ASC Certificate Holders.
The ASC Assurance Net: Layer by layer
Layer 1: Verification against the ASC Standards
Independent CABs verify that our robust standards are met in the way they are supposed to by conducting audits at feed mills, on farms and at all supply chain companies. This includes unannounced and peak season audits, investigations and suspensions if issues are found.
Layer 2: Verifying the verifiers
Our Integrity Services Provider, Assurance Services International (ASI), verifies that the CABs conduct audits consistently by:
- Assessing CABs on site
- Performing risk-based compliance assessment
Did you know assessment audits are public? Check here
Layer 3: Risk-targeted toolkit
To further strengthen the ASC Assurance Net, we have invested in creating innovative additional tools to test, trace, map and monitor standards and processes.
- TestASC: Risk-based antibiotic testing and testing for geographic origin
- TraceASC: Digital traceability to transport key data across the supply chain
- MapASC: GIS mapping to verify activities on the ground
- MonitorASC: Monitoring data for better decision-making and highlighting risks
Layer 4: Team ASC monitoring every process
ASC monitors every process in every layer of the ASC Assurance Net, intervening only when necessary, for peace of mind for you and your customers.
Layer 5: Transparency
There is no assurance without transparency!
The ASC Assurance Net provides comprehensive transparency. Certification status, as well as farm, feed mill and CAB performance, is available for anyone to check.
Layer 6: The ASC label
Every company in the ASC certified supply chain wanting to benefit from using the label – either in their communications or on packaging – needs to sign a Label Licence Agreement (LLA).
It is the only direct relationship between ASC and the supply chain company and sets the bar on what a company must conform to when using the label.
The ASC label shows final consumers that a product is traceable back to ASC certified farms that meet the highest environmental, social and welfare requirements and is covered by the ASC Assurance Net.
Consumers look for the ASC label
According to independent research, the ASC label is the most recognised and trusted farmed seafood label, as well as having the highest association with sustainability and responsibility.
The ASC label helps seafood shoppers make the responsible choice.
The ASC Programme Centre is your all-in-one digital hub for all ASC Certification Programmes.
You can navigate through the digital, interactive standards, apply filters to represent your individual production criteria and quickly access all supporting documents and tools from the helpful toolbox.
Useful links
