Variance request and Interpretation platform

This platform is a searchable database of all Variance Requests (VR’s) and Questions for Interpretation (QA’s) submitted to the ASC. Variance Requests are publicly available to improve consistency in understanding and application of ASC standards and Certification & Accreditation Requirements (CAR).

ASC has revised its Variance Request process and developed a normative Variance Request procedure to maintain its transparency and accountability ethos. The Variance Request procedure allows for stakeholders to submit feedback to VR’s related to the ASC species’ standards. To do so, please follow the steps outlined in The Variance Request Procedure.

Prospect

CAB Control Union Services SAC

Publication date 2023-09-13 00:00:00

Certificate holder

Date of submission 2023-09-12 00:00:00

Status QA closed

Unit of certification

Species

Country ALL

Reference to other Q&As

Document

Document reference Feed

Version Feed CAR v1.0.1

Indicator Table A 5. b)

Other relevant indicator/clause

Background

Background info Considering that:
1. The pre-assessment (gap analysis audit) will be handle as official audit: desk review, audit plan, open meeting, interview, stakeholder participation, closing meeting; etc. The audit will contemplate the evaluation of all the indicators, scopes and requirements applicable to the ASC standard.
2. The trainee auditor has already completed all other requirements contemplated in the ASC Feed Annex B – AUDITOR QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES.

Supporting evidence

Question Is it possible to qualify a new auditor in a pre-assessment audit (gap analysis audit) being witness by an ASC Feed qualified auditor?

Determination

Release date September 14, 2023

Effective date September 14, 2023

Rationale It is not possible to use a pre-assessment audit to conduct a witness assessment of a new Feed Auditor. A pre-audit (gap analysis audit) would not be considered sufficient to meet the intended satisfactory ASC audit witnessed by the CAB’s competent ASC feed auditor (Table 5. b).

A new auditor must be witnessed conducting a formal routine ASC Feed audit.

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