ASC opens a stakeholder consultation on supply chain requirements covering human rights, humane slaughter and food safety

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is launching a 60-day public consultation today (2 March 2026) on proposed revisions to its Chain of Custody (CoC) Module. The consultation forms part of ASC’s wider programme of upholding strong social and animal welfare protections across the seafood value chain. It also reflects the organisation’s commitment to robust assurance and meaningful stakeholder engagement. The proposed revisions aim to introduce human rights and humane slaughter requirements, and improve food safety provisions, while aiming to maintain alignment with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) CoC Standard requirements.

The consultation will focus on testing the specific proposals set out in the revised draft Module, with a particular emphasis on assessing their feasibility in practice. Feedback is strongly encouraged from supply chain companies, auditors, retailers, environmental, welfare and social non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and union or worker representatives.

The Module sets out updated proposed requirements for CoC certificate holders and conformity assessment bodies (CABs), while also inviting feedback on additional elements related to supply chain traceability and conformance.

ASC Head of Supply Chain Assurance, Wendy Banta said, “We are proposing requirements that respect and promote human rights using a risk-based verification approach. We also want to ensure slaughter is conducted humanely when it occurs beyond the farm and maintain food safety while also keeping the programme workable for businesses and aligned with existing standards.

“We’re keen to hear from stakeholders on whether these proposals are feasible in practice and how they can best support credible, transparent and responsible supply chains.”

This consultation follows a preliminary consultation held in 2025, which invited broader stakeholder feedback on the overall direction ASC should take in updating the Module. That initial consultation generated a strong level of engagement, receiving 106 responses from across the value chain, including supply chain companies, retailers, auditors, and NGOs.

Key areas under consultation

Under the proposal, ASC would introduce a simplified supply chain code of conduct on human rights aligned with ASC’s Farm and Feed Standards. Instead of relying on single, routine third-party social audits, the approach would use a mix of assurance tools, including document-based human rights checks by CoC auditors, risk-based unannounced assessments, transparency of human rights practices and clear remediation processes.

The food safety requirement would remain in place but would be modified to ease implementation. Proposed updates include moving food safety from an eligibility requirement to a clause in the standard, recognising acceptably equivalent food safety schemes (such as Japan Food Safety Management B), and raising the exemption threshold from €2 million to €10 million in annual turnover.

At the same time, guidance on fraud vulnerability assessments would be simplified, with the introduction of an optional template to support companies with less experience in this area.

Traceability and conformance requirements would continue to build on MSC Chain of Custody rules where possible. New integrity measures are also proposed, including the collection of geographic coordinates for certified sites and the ability to apply conditions when ineligibility criteria are activated.

To participate in the consultation and give your feedback on supply chain requirements, complete the survey here.

MSC CoC Standard under review

The MSC is currently reviewing its CoC Standard to ensure it remains relevant, credible, and accessible. A 60-day public consultation on the proposed revisions will be open to all interested stakeholders from mid-March. Find out more about the MSC review and upcoming consultation.