ASC rolls out new process for variance requests with increased stakeholder input

ASC 10:30 11/11/2020
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is updating its variance requests (VR) process, a move that will give shareholders and NGOs the opportunity to contribute to decisions on local variances to the ASC standards.

The new VR process was published on 29 October and is due to go into effect on 15 December.

Considered a vital part of “any credible global certification program,” according to ASC, variance requests provide the means necessary to adapt a global standard to specific local conditions, without lowering requirements.

Within the update, technical analysis has been made a requirement when making decisions about requests, ASC said. The inclusion of stakeholder consultation is another significant change being made to the process, the certification organization said – relevant stakeholders to a given VR will soon be proactively notified, allowing them to provide feedback based on their applicable knowledge and experience.

“This addition was itself based on stakeholder feedback which ASC sought as it developed the new process, and it means that NGOs or local community groups can have their say on any proposed variances to the standard,” ASC said.

Conformity assessment bodies (CABs), in light of the new update, are “encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new process, along with a new process for variance requests made to ASC’s Certification and Accreditation Requirements (CAR), before both go live on 15 December,” ASC said. Additional guidance documents and training will be provided by the ASC to aid in this, the organization confirmed.

"Variance Requests play an important part in any credible global certification program, so it’s only right that they are based on technical analysis and meaningful stakeholder consultation,” ASC Head of Standards Javier Unibazo said. "ASC has always taken Variance Requests seriously, but this update provides a checklist and process that is consistent, efficient, and most of all maintains the very high requirements of the ASC standards. The policy itself has also been shaped by feedback we received from stakeholders ranging from NGOs to auditors, based on their experience of the variance request process, as part of multiple rounds of public consultation. It’s easy to ask for feedback but at ASC we will always take it into account when making decisions or updating the program.”

The adjustments made to the VR process enables requests to be submitted “in a way that is consistent, inclusive, and requires that all decisions are the result of a technical analysis,” ASC said.

“This analysis will be carried out taking into account stakeholder input, and will be presented to the VR Committee, made up of independent members of the ASC’s Technical Advisory Group with additional independent oversight. The addition to the process of strict and defined timelines should also improve the process for CABs and ensure decisions that are timely as well as evidence-based,” it said.

At any time, stakeholders can reach out to ASC regarding variance requests, and if new evidence merits reassessment, the organization said it will proceed accordingly when necessary. 

ASC also published its new separate policy for variance requests made to its CAR, a document that sets out requirements for independent CABs regarding how standards should be applied.

“Just as with the ASC standards, the CAR is applied in widely varying circumstances all over the world and as a result sometimes variances will be required, but as a different document the updated process for variance requests to the CAR is slightly different,” ASC said. “Unlike variance requests to the ASC standards, requests to the CAR are not science-based and less likely to require detailed technical reviews, and as they are limited in scope to the operation of CABs the number of relevant stakeholders is much smaller. For these reasons, VRs to the CAR will not require the same stakeholder consultation, but all requests must be approved by the independent VR Committee and made public on the ASC website. Importantly, such requests cannot relate to the compliance of an aspect of one of the ASC standards, which much go through the ASC Standards VR process.”

ASC said it will provide CABs with training as well as a flowchart a flowchart breaking down the new processes “one step at a time.”

The new processes can be downloaded on ASC’s Program Assurance Team webpage.

(seafoodsource)

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

The US has a new president: what impact will it have on Vietnam’s pangasius export?

 |  08:55 21/11/2024

(seafood.vasep .com.vn) The return of Donald Trump to the White House for a second term will bring significant impacts on Vietnam, particularly its pangasius export sector. Trump's economic policies, such as raising import tariffs, reducing corporate income taxes, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) back to the US, are expected to directly influence various industries in Vietnam.

CEPA opens new doors for Vietnamese shrimp exports to the UAE

 |  08:54 19/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The UAE ranked 16th among importers of Vietnamese shrimp from 2018 to 2022, accounting for approximately 0.5% of Vietnam's total shrimp export value. Annually, Vietnam exported around US$20 million worth of shrimp to this market.

Sao Ta Foods’ October sales reach $23.25 million

 |  12:26 15/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The company also announced that its farms are well-prepared and will begin stocking in mid-November when the weather conditions are favorable.

Ecological shrimp farming under mangrove forests in Ca Mau yields high efficiency

 |  08:42 13/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) To maximize natural advantages and increase the value of local aquatic products, Ca Mau province is promoting the ecological shrimp farming model under mangrove forests. This model not only brings high profits to people thanks to businesses committing to purchasing products at prices 10-20% higher than the market price but also aims for sustainable development and environmental friendliness.

Vietnam’s tuna industry seizes “golden opportunity” to boost exports to the UAE

 |  09:05 11/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was signed after just over a year of negotiations. With high demand for premium seafood in the UAE, particularly for shrimp and tuna products, Vietnam’s tuna industry is expected to gain increased export opportunities and higher product value thanks to the preferential terms of the CEPA.

Vietnam seafood exports in October 2024 return to $1 billion mark

 |  11:00 07/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2024, seafood exports from Vietnam are estimated to exceed $1 billion, marking a 28% increase compared to the same period last year. This achievement signifies the first return to the $1 billion milestone in 27 months, since June 2022, providing a significant boost for Vietnamese seafood enterprises.

Dong Thap Pangasius festival scheduled on November 16-17, 2024

 |  11:20 06/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Under the theme "Dong Thap Pangasius: Green Journey - Green Value," the Dong Thap Pangasius Festival 2024 will take place over two days, November 16th and 17th, at Vo Nguyen Giap Square in Hong Ngu City.

Kien Giang Province: Promoting biosafety rice-shrimp production

 |  09:02 05/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Kien Giang has announced a plan to stabilize the biosafety rice-shrimp production area at 117,340 hectares by 2030.

Ca Mau province: Shrimp output reaches 208,495 tons as of October 17

 |  08:44 04/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Department of Fisheries in Ca Mau, the total aquatic product output in the region is estimated at 536,140 tons as of October 17, achieving 82.23% of the annual plan and marking a 1.74% increase compared to the same period last year. Within this total, shrimp production stands at 208,495 tons, reaching 82.41% of the planned target and showing a 2.23% increase year-over-year.

Pangasius exports to Iraq reach 3-year high

 |  09:14 01/11/2024

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, pangasius exports to Iraq have surged significantly in the first nine months of 2024, marking the highest levels seen in three years. This upward trend has positioned Iraq as a key market for Vietnamese pangasius, even surpassing Iran, traditionally regarded as a gateway for trade between Vietnam and the Middle East.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC