Aquaculture Stewardship Council

Iseal code compliant member

Aquaculture Stewardship Council

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent, international non-profit organisation that manages the world’s leading certification and labelling programme for responsible aquaculture. ASC recognises and rewards responsible aquaculture through the ASC aquaculture certification programme and seafood label; promotes best environmental and social choice when buying seafood; and contributes to transforming seafood markets towards sustainability.

Find out more about ASC at - https://www.asc-aqua.org/

ISEAL Code Compliant designates members who have successfully undergone independent evaluations against the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice in Standards-Setting, Assurance and Impacts.

The ISEAL Code

The launch of the ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Sustainability Systems (‘the ISEAL Code’) is anticipated in early Q1 2024. ISEAL Code Compliant members will be working through a transition period to align their systems to the ISEAL Code and will be anticipated to undergo independent evaluations in 2025. Information about the effective date, the transition period and process for ISEAL Code Compliant members will be made available on the ISEAL Code of Good Practice revision and integration page.

Independent Evaluation to the ISEAL Standards-Setting Code
Previous assessment

As a result of this independent evaluation, ASC has made the following improvements to how they set their standards:

  • Actively reaching out to stakeholders about new or revised standards.

  • Published comments received during the consultation period. 

  • Developed a public consultation manual to ensure a streamlined process in the compilation, publication and consideration of all stakeholder comments.

Independent Evaluation to the ISEAL Assurance Code
Previous assessment
Next assessment

As a result of this independent evaluation, ASC made the following improvements to their assurance system:

  • Created a dynamic version of the organisational organigram to show the relationships between the Board and the senior management team.

  • Review the risk management plan every six months

  • Revised the data protection policy about disclosure of personal information

  • Formalised its management review process, which is conducted at least once a year

  • Published instructions on audit duration

  • Ensured that after the Conformity Assessment Bodies communicates the suspension/withdrawal/cancellation, the updates are made to the certification log and the ASC brand team is notified

  • The results of the internal audit of the Conformity Assessment Bodies are reported to ASC in an annual safety system review meeting

  • Published clarifying statements on data ownership and use of non-personal data on the website

Independent Evaluations to the ISEAL Impacts Code
Previous assessment

As a result of this independent evaluation, ASC made the following improvements to their M&E system:

  • Published Terms of Reference for the commissioning of an impact study.

  • Released the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 2.0 which details indicators for monitoring and data availability.

  • Invited stakeholders to provide feedback on the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 2.0.

System Overview

ISEAL Code Compliant members provide publicly available reports that give a comprehensive and accessible overview of a member's system.

ISEAL System Overview Aquaculture Stewardship Council 2022