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Document structure

by Contact on 30 October 2026

The ASC Farm Standard is structured as follows:

  • Four Principles – each Principle defines a high-level outcome which, collectively, contributes to the ASC Vision.

  • A Principle consists of multiple Criteria – each Criterion addresses an impact that is relevant to the aquaculture industry.

  • A Criterion consists of a Rationale, Intent and multiple Indicators.

    • The Rationale describes why the issue is of relevance to the aquaculture industry;

    • The Intent describes the long-term outcome of the Criteria;

    • Each Indicator describes a requirement. Audits are conducted to determine conformity to Indicators, including any referenced appendices, footnotes or terms.

The ASC Farm Standard also contains:

  • Appendices – included to provide detail on acronyms, performance metrics, methodologies, formulas or requirements.

  • Footnotes – used to detail exemptions to an Indicator and for references.

  • Terms – defined terms are highlighted in bold when used for the first time. Definitions are listed in the ASC Vocabulary Portal.