ASC Feed Standard Certification: Responsible Feed Production
Demonstrate responsible aquafeed production through environmental and social requirements and responsible sourcing of main feed ingredients.
Journey continues on Veracity, DNV's trusted digital platform.
ASC Feed Standard Certification: Responsible Feed Production
The feed standard takes the ASC’s approach to responsible aquaculture and extends it to the feed mills that manufacture aquafeed, as well as the suppliers of their ingredients.
The ASC Feed Standard addresses key environmental and social impacts associated with aquafeed production through requirements for responsible sourcing, due diligence, traceability and ingredient management.
Feed mills can be independently assessed against the ASC Feed Standard. Certification verifies that the feed mills produce ASC-compliant feed in accordance with applicable requirements and approved ASC production models. ASC Feed Standard certification is a requirement to sell to ASC certified farms.
What is ASC Feed standard?
The ASC Feed Standard applies to feed manufacturers producing aquafeed and addresses key environmental and social impacts associated with feed production.
It covers management systems, responsible ingredient sourcing, due diligence, traceability and the responsible sourcing of marine and plant-based ingredients.
The ASC Feed Standard helps you achieve:
- Effective management and legal, social and environmental responsibility.
- Responsible sourcing and due diligence across ingredient supply chains.
- Improved traceability and accounting of eligible ingredients and feed outputs.
- Responsible sourcing of marine and plant-based ingredients, including management of deforestation and land conversion risks.
For plant-based ingredients, feed mills must record and report applicable ingredients and assess risks related to deforestation and land conversion. The standard requires due diligence and measures to progress towards lower-risk, deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing.
Value of ASC Feed certification
ASC Feed Standard certification provides feed manufacturers with several benefits:
- Independent verification against applicable ASC Feed Standard requirements
- Access to markets that require ASC compliant feed from certified feed mills.
- Clear and credible communication on responsible feed production.
Why partner with DNV?
DNV is one of the world’s leading certification bodies. Through management system certification, supply chain assurance and training services, we help companies manage risks, assure compliance and build competence in organizations, supply chains and people.
Customers
Certificates
People trained annually
Countries
How to get certified to ASC Feed
The first step is to get more information on the certification scheme and become familiar with the ASC Feed Standard. When you meet the applicable requirements, you are ready to be certified.
DNV is an independent third-party certification body accredited for the ASC Feed Standard and provides independent third-party certification against the applicable requirements.
As a DNV customer, you also get access to a suite of digital tools that can help you ensure compliance, continually improve and manage your entire certification journey with us.
Learn how to get ASC Feed Standard certified
-
- Review the applicable standard: Identify the ASC Feed Standard applicable to the species you produce and review the relevant certification requirements and audit preparation information. The standard is available for download from the ASC website.
- Confirm your eligibility and certification scope: Check that your Feed production operation is eligible for ASC Feed Standard certification and define the Unit of Certification (UoC), including the species and site in scope.
-
- Assign responsibilities: Designate appropriate personnel to coordinate the certification process and act as a point of contact for the assessment team.
- Prepare the required information: Ensure that relevant data, records and procedures are available for the audit. This may include stock data, information on social regulations, internal records and procedures, employee and stakeholder interviews, and supporting scientific information.
-
- Review your operation against ASC Feed Standard requirements: Use the applicable ASC Feed Standard and to understand the information and performance data that need to be available during the assessment.
- Address gaps before the audit: Review your documentation, data, identification, segregation and traceability systems early in the process so that necessary adjustments can be made before assessment.
- Review your operation against ASC Feed Standard requirements: Use the applicable ASC Feed Standard and to understand the information and performance data that need to be available during the assessment.
-
- Choose an accredited conformity assessment body: Select an independent conformity assessment body (CAB) accredited by Accreditation Services International (ASI) to conduct assessments against ASC Feed Standards. Consider its feed production expertise, environmental and social audit capabilities, language capacity and availability.
- Complete the initial audit: Your CAB will conduct an independent third-party assessment of your farming operation against the applicable ASC Feed Standard. The process includes assessment of the available evidence and provides an opportunity to make required improvements before the final certification determination.
-
- Obtain your ASC Feed Standard certificate: Following the assessment process, certification is granted if your farming operation meets all applicable requirements.
- Maintain certification: Continue to meet ASC Feed Standard requirements and participate in the required certification activities to maintain your certified status.
- Obtain your ASC Feed Standard certificate: Following the assessment process, certification is granted if your farming operation meets all applicable requirements.
ASC Feed - FAQ
-
ASC stands for Aquaculture Stewardship Council, an international organization that develops standards for responsible seafood farming and aquafeed production.
-
ASC means Aquaculture Stewardship Council. Its standards are designed to support more environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture practices from feed to fork. -
The ASC Feed Standard addresses key environmental and social impacts associated with aquafeed production. It promotes responsible sourcing, greater traceability and due diligence across ingredient supply chains, including marine- and plant-based ingredients.
-
The ASC Feed Standard is a global standard for feed manufacturers producing aquafeed. It sets requirements for management systems, responsible sourcing, traceability and accounting of eligible ingredients and feed outputs, as well as the responsible sourcing of marine- and plant-based ingredients.
More information
ASC
Visit the ASC website
ASC download centre
Standards, Certification and Accreditation
ASC Feed Standard Document
Download the ASC Feed Standard Document - version 1.01 January 2023
ASC Feed Interpretation Manual
Download the ASC Feed Interpretation Manual
Training
Relevant insight in an active learning environment.
Your added value
Find out more on the digital customer
Contact us
