Principle 2
The UoC sources ingredients responsibly
2.1The UoC implements a Supplier Code of Conduct
Rationale
The Supplier Code of Conduct is an important starting place for managing the potential socio-environmental risks of the ingredients[126] that go into aquaculture feed. The Code of Conduct is a tool to prompt greater communication around sustainability expectations between the feed manufacturer and its suppliers (i.e. ingredient manufacturers and their supplying manufacturers) and as such is best made public. The aim of the code of conduct is thus to raise awareness and ensure mitigation measures have been initiated for socio-environmental risks. In contrast the Due Diligence carried out by the feed mill addresses only the more pressing of these risks, and requires an in-depth review by the feed mill to ensure that these risks have adequately been dealt with within the supply chain (i.e. ingredient manufacturers and raw material producers).
| Indicators: | |
| 2.1.1 | The UoC shall effectively implement a Supplier Code of Conduct that includes, at a minimum, the points listed in Indicators 2.1.3–2.1.8. |
| 2.1.2 | The UoC shall have the Supplier Code of Conduct (Indicator 2.1.1) publicly[127] available. |
| 2.1.3 | Within the Supplier Code of Conduct (Indicator 2.1.1) the UoC requires ingredient manufacturers to meet, as a minimum, the licence and permit-related Indicators as defined in:
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| 2.1.4 | Within the Supplier Code of Conduct (Indicator 2.1.1) the UoC requires ingredient manufacturers to meet, as a minimum, the environmental and social-related Indicators as defined in:
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| 2.1.5 | Within the Supplier Code of Conduct (Indicator 2.1.1) the UoC communicates that it will discontinue purchases from ingredient manufacturers that do not meet the Supplier Code of Conduct. |
| 2.1.6 | Within the Supplier Code of Conduct (Indicator 2.1.1) the UoC shall require ingredient manufacturers to declare to the UoC whether they meet the Supplier Code of Conduct (Indicator 2.1.1)[128][129]. |
| 2.1.7 | Within the Supplier Code of Conduct (Indicator 2.1.1) the UoC shall require its ingredient manufacturers to inform the UoC in case of any material changes in relation to Indicator 2.1.6. |
| 2.1.8 | Within the Supplier Code of Conduct (Indicator 2.1.1) the UoC shall require ingredient manufacturers to communicate an equivalent set of requirements (Indicator 2.1.1.) with the same intention, to their suppliers (i.e. manufacturers of purchased feed materials). |
Footnotes
126. Ingredients: see Definition List.
127. Via the website of the UoC.
128. The UoC, ingredient manufacturers, and the ingredient manufacturers’ supplying manufacturers shall use the following understanding when declaring whether or not they meet the Supplier Code of Conduct: All criteria and indicators listed in 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 are fully met or measures have been implemented to ensure they will be met (see Annex 7, figure 4, step 4).
129. In other words, the ingredient manufacturer’s supplying manufacturers, declares to the UoC’s ingredient manufacturer.
2.2The UoC conducts Due Diligence on ingredient manufacturers and primary raw material production
Rationale
Due Diligence provides a pathway to understand the origins and potential impacts of the ingredients in aquaculture feed. As a first step, feed manufacturers must strive for continuous improvement in achieving greater traceability[130] on the origins of their raw materials. In this Standard, a UoC must publish its primary raw material and their respective countries (or fisheries in case of marine ingredients) of origin. Then, within three years, the UoC must identify the region within the country of origin for its plant raw materials. Greater visibility allows feed manufacturers to conduct more meaningful due diligence on the potential negative impacts that these materials have created prior to reaching the feed manufacturer.
The Supplier Code of Conduct covers a wider range of topics, relying on self-declaration as a first step in raising awareness and working with supply chains; combined with this there is the Due Diligence, which includes an in-depth assessment of a smaller range but more serious risks at the ingredient manufacturer facility and at raw material production level.
| Indicators: | |
| 2.2.1 | The UoC shall require ingredient manufacturers to cooperate in providing relevant information that enables the UoC to conduct a Due Diligence on the ingredient manufacturer, as well as on primary raw material production[131]. |
| 2.2.2 | The UoC shall maintain accurate and up-to-date listing(s) for all ingredients[132] that represent >1% of the total annual ingredient-weight (volume) received by the UoC. The list shall include the following information:
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| 2.2.3 | The UoC shall annually publish[133] the listed ingredients, their primary raw material and the country(ies)/fishery(ies) of primary raw material production (Indicator 2.2.2). |
| 2.2.4 | The UoC shall publish[134] (from the start of the second certification cycle onwards) the production region(s)[135] within the country(ies) of primary raw material production on an annual basis. This only applies to terrestrial plant-derived ingredients. |
| 2.2.5 | The UoC shall conduct the Due Diligence[136] on its ingredient manufacturers of marine-based ingredients[137], plant-based ingredients and other feed stuffs for the risk factors listed in table 1, and using one of the four pathways defined in Annex 3.[138] Link to Variance request VR0755_Feed _v.1.01_2.2.5 |
| 2.2.6 | The UoC shall conduct the Due Diligence on its primary marine and plant raw material production for the risk factors listed in table 1, and using one of the four pathways defined in Annex 3.[139][140] Link to Variance request VR0755_Feed _v.1.01_2.2.5 |
| 2.2.7 | The UoC shall, in all cases where one of the two pathways “sectoral/fishery assessment” or “ingredient manufacturer assessment” is selected, follow all five risk management framework steps outlined in figure 4, Annex 7. |
| 2.2.8 | The UoC shall have a system to ensure it only sources from supply chains where the outcome of the Due Diligence on the ingredient manufacturer indicates low risk for the risk factors referred to in 2.2.5.[141][142] Link to Variance request QA0412_Feed _v.1.01_2.2.8 |
| 2.2.9 | The UoC shall have a system to ensure it only sources marine- and plant-based ingredients where the outcome of the Due Diligence on the respective primary raw material production indicates low risk for the risk factors referred to in 2.2.6.[143][144] |
| 2.2.10 | Using the template provided on the ASC website, the UoC shall annually publish and report to ASC an overview of the outcome of the Due Diligences carried out and the respective pathways chosen.[145] |
| 2.2.11 | In all cases where the pathways “sectoral/fishery assessment” or “ingredient manufacturer assessment” (see Annex 3) are chosen, the UoC shall publish and share with ASC an up-to-date summary report including the evidence as required under b. of each pathway in Annex 3. |
Footnotes
126. Ingredients: see Definition List.
127. Via the website of the UoC.
128. The UoC, ingredient manufacturers, and the ingredient manufacturers’ supplying manufacturers shall use the following understanding when declaring whether or not they meet the Supplier Code of Conduct: All criteria and indicators listed in 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 are fully met or measures have been implemented to ensure they will be met (see Annex 7, figure 4, step 4).
129. In other words, the ingredient manufacturer’s supplying manufacturers, declares to the UoC’s ingredient manufacturer.
130. Traceability: see Definition List.
131. Primary raw material (production): see Definition List.
132. This excludes the following feed additives per default, even if they represent >1% total annual ingredient-weight (volume) received by the UoC: premixes, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, colourants.
133. Commercial sensitive information relating to the name or identification of the supplier and/or manufacturer as well as diet formulation is not required to be publicly disclosed.
134. Via the website of the UoC.
135. Region: see Definition List.
136. If an ingredient is composed of primary raw material originating from multiple countries/fisheries (i.e. mixed batches), the country/fishery with the highest risk dominates. An example would be wheat gluten from wheat produced in three countries – the country(ies) with the highest risk profile dominates the overall risk profile.
137. Plant-based ingredient: see Definition List.
138. In other words, no Due Diligence is required for ingredient manufactures of feed additives.
139. In other words, no Due Diligence is required for non-marine and non-plant raw materials such as, for example, feed stuffs.
140. The due diligence for marine raw material shall include all products derived from fisheries, whole fish as well as by-products, with the exception of by-catch retained under the EU landing obligation. The due diligence does not include by-products derived from aquaculture.
141. In other words, the Due Diligence is passed when low risk has been determined for all applicable risk factors.
142. A visualisation of these requirements can be found in Annex 5, Figures 1 and 2.
143. In other words, the Due Diligence is passed when low risk has been determined for all applicable risk factors.
144. A visualisation of these requirements can be found in Annex 5, Figures 1 and 2.
145. The requirement to publish and report to ASC does not apply where due diligence has not been passed.