ASC-Certified Pangasius from Vietnam: What to Ask Your Supplier

For many European retail and foodservice programmes, ASC certification is part of the pangasius spec. An ASC claim rests on two kinds of certificate: one for the farm, and one for each company that owns the fish after it leaves the farm. Knowing which is which saves a lot of back and forth with suppliers. TBESFOOD supplies ASC-certified pangasius fillets from Vietnam and ships them to buyers in the EU and the UK. The checks below apply whichever supplier you use.

What does ASC certification cover for pangasius?

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifies fish farms against its standard for responsible aquaculture, which covers the farm's environmental impact, feed, fish health and the treatment of workers and neighbouring communities. Independent certification bodies carry out the audits.

A farm certificate on its own does not let a product carry the ASC logo. The fish has to stay inside a certified chain from the farm to the company that sells the labelled product.

What is ASC chain of custody?

Chain of custody (CoC) certification checks that certified fish is identified, kept apart from non-certified fish and traceable through every company that owns it. ASC uses the Marine Stewardship Council's Chain of Custody Standard for this, and each company in the supply chain that owns and sells an ASC-certified product needs a valid CoC certificate. ASC has added its own CoC module on top, which requires certificate holders to carry out a fraud vulnerability assessment.

CoC certificates are issued by independent certification bodies, are valid for three years and are followed by regular surveillance audits.

When can you put the ASC logo on pack?

Only when the product has passed through an unbroken chain of certified companies, from the ASC-certified farm to the company selling the labelled product. If you import and resell, repack, or sell under your own brand, you need your own CoC certificate, and consumer packs bearing the logo need a logo licence.

Which documents should you ask an ASC pangasius supplier for?

• The farm's ASC certificate, with a farm name you can find in the ASC certificate database.
• The chain of custody certificate codes for the processor and the exporter, and the scope each covers: species, product form and site.
• Proof that your lot is covered: lot or batch codes on the invoice, packing list and carton labels that trace back to the certified farm.
• The CoC code on the commercial invoice for the certified product.
• Expiry dates for every certificate, checked against your production and shipment dates.

How does ASC fit with EU import rules?

ASC is a private standard and sits on top of the official requirements. For the EU, those are fish from an EU-approved establishment, an official health certificate and pre-notification in TRACES. Farmed pangasius does not need an IUU catch certificate. Our guide to importing seafood from Vietnam into the EU lists each document.

Does ASC change the fillet specification?

The fillet spec is the same as for any pangasius order: trim, colour, size grade, net weight, glaze and treatment. ASC adds the documents above and the segregation behind them, so certified fish usually carries a premium over uncertified fish. Our guide to what moves a pangasius fillet price covers the other parts of a quote, and buying frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam covers the spec sheet itself.

FAQ

Is ASC the same as BAP?

They are separate programmes. Both certify aquaculture, but BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) is run by the Global Seafood Alliance and has its own standards and logo. Some buyers ask for one, some accept either. TBESFOOD works with both ASC and BAP certification.

Do I need a CoC certificate if I only import and resell?

Yes, if you take ownership of the product and sell it as ASC certified. Each company that owns and sells ASC-certified product needs its own valid CoC certificate.

How do I check that a certificate is real?

Look up the farm and the CoC code in the public ASC and MSC certificate databases, then match the company names, scope and expiry dates to the documents for your lot.

Is ASC pangasius more expensive?

Usually, yes. Certified farms carry audit and compliance costs, and certified fish has to be kept separate through processing and storage.