What you need to know:

ASC is an international environmental certification programme for fish and shellfish farming. In order for a fish or shellfish product to be sold to consumers with the ASC label, all companies in the supply chain - including yours - must be certified by an independent certification body like Kiwa BCS. Certification guarantees that fish are grown responsibly and allows a product to be traced back to where it was farmed.

Depending on the fish or shellfish species, location and farming method, ASC certification covers different criteria. Criteria include how water is treated before it is drained from the fish farm, any fish food that is responsibly sourced, biodiversity that is protected and that the use of antibiotics is limited.

To be certified, you must trace the fish back to its source and demonstrate that the farming methods are of high quality, plus the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - an eco-label for wild fish and shellfish - is considered a basic requirement for ASC certification.

ASC certification with Kiwa BCS Öko-Garantie GmbH:

By partnering with Kiwa BCS for your ASC certification, you can rely on a solid and credible process that demonstrates your commitment to responsible and sustainable fish farming.

At Kiwa BCS, we use a third-party certification system, which means that certification of farms and product suppliers is carried out by independent certifiers. These certifiers are accredited and monitored by an independent accreditation organisation, Accreditation Services International. This ensures that our programme is robust, credible and meets best practice guidelines for standard-setting organisations, as outlined by the ISEAL Alliance and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Your benefits:

  • Ensure traceability - with ASC certification, you can be confident in the origin of your fish and shellfish products and demonstrate that you ensure traceability
  • Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability - ASC certification shows that you take responsibility for your role in a sustainable fish market
  • Kiwa BCS is your competent and personal partner for your inspection project and for all questions during the process