According to a news report from FishUpdate, ACC President Jim Heerin said ACC plans to switch from using individual evaluators to inspect facilities to coordinating with ISO-certified inspectorates in engaging evaluators. The transition, which is already underway, will be completed during 2010, reports the news organisation. The initial certification bodies are Global Trust (formerly IFQC) and Michigan-based NSF. More groups will be enlisted over time, Heerin said.
As part of this transition, ACC will identify itself as “BAP Certification Management” to reflect its new focus on managing the certification of BAP standards, as well as on educating and training producers in developing countries, “to encourage development of responsible, sustainable aquaculture,” Heerin said.
Heerin described the transition as a “key milestone for the BAP program as it evolves to meet marketplace requirements.” The use of ISO-certified inspectorates allows BAP certification to comply with the most discriminating international criteria, particularly benchmarking with the Global Food Safety Initiative—now underway—as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Technical Guidelines on Aquaculture Certification, which are currently being developed.
Heerin emphasized that the BAP programme continues to require all evaluators to meet basic education and experience requirements and to be trained by ACC, reports FishUpdate.
ACC Switches to ISO-certified Inspections
GLOBE - The Aquaculture Certification Council, a non-profit organisation that certifies hatcheries, farms and processing plants for compliance with Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards, today announced a major change to the way it will conduct facility inspections.
