Certification Bodies wishing to apply for recognition to audit against one or more of the GAA BAP Standards are invited to review the 3 documents below.  Should the CB Applicant determine that requirements may possibly be met, they are invited to follow the instructions described including submittal of a registration form.

GAA/BAP CB Initial Criteria for New BAP Applicants

CB Requirements Document Review

Registration Form for New CB Applicants

Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA)

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Standards

Initial Criteria for Certification Body Applicants Wishing

to Apply for Recognition to Audit Against the GAA BAP

Standards

I. Information Submitted

All information must be submitted in English
 

II. Registration

A.   As a pre-requisite, only Certification Bodies that are already accredited under ISO/IEC Guide 65 by an Accreditation Body that is an IAF member and MLA signatory, to another internationally recognized scheme, may apply for initial GAA BAP recognition.

B.  Certification Bodies interested in seeking potential approval to audit against one or more of the GAA BAP standards must register their interest by filling out the registration form available on line.

C.   After receiving a completed and acceptable registration, GAA BAP will send to the applicant CB relevant documents describing the requirements, information submittals and fees to include but not limited to:

1. The CB Application
2. GAA BAP Auditor Competency and Course Approval Requirements
3. CB Requirements Document
4. Any other relevant process documents

III. Prior to Application – Self Assessment – Competency, Resources

Prior to submitting an application, CBs are required to carefully study all information sent to them and to perform a self-assessment to determine if all competency, resource, and other requirements are fully met prior to sending an application or other information to BAP management.

Applicants must demonstrate in the application process, adequate resources and competency in areas such as, but not limited to:

A.   Seafood and aquaculture expertise and competency.

B.   Sufficient numbers of auditors in appropriate locations that have the proper seafood and aquaculture experience and audit competencies to conduct BAP audits.

C.  Sufficient numbers of CB staff with seafood, aquaculture and audit competency in appropriate locations to properly manage certifications under BAP

D.   Sufficient numbers of auditor and CB personnel and resources to ensure the integrity of audits, shadow and witness requirements, audit report and corrective action evidence and technical review accuracy, and timeliness.

E.   Proper resources to ensure auditor training and calibration requirements are met in a timely fashion.

F.    Proper adherence to time frames for completion of the certification process and enforcement of same with CB personnel and auditors, including sub-contract auditors.

G.   Management commitment to the integrity of the BAP scheme and sufficient responsiveness to clients and to BAP.

H.   Timely and adequate correction of deficiencies where they occur

I.     Proper organizational structure to manage the program and to ensure accreditation requirements are met, for all offices involved in BAP audits and certification decisions, within specified time frames.

IV. Application

Once applicants have determined through self-assessment that the basic requirements appear to have been met:

A.   Complete the application in its entirety

B.   Prepare supporting documentation as stipulated in the application. This will include but is not limited to:

1.    Organizational Chart(s)

2.    Copy of Accreditation Certificate under ISO/IEC Guide 65 (including scope) for each CB office seeking BAP recognition

3.    A copy of a valid liability/indemnity insurance certificate with a value of at least $2,000,000 USD

4.    Procedure for ensuring impartiality and prevention of conflict of interest amongst CB personnel

5.    Procedure as above in # 4, for auditors and sub-contract auditors

6.    Details of all offices of the applicant CB that would be involved in the BAP program and in what capacity

7.    Details of the designated person or persons that are key points of contact for the BAP scheme at each office listed in # 6 above

8.    Details of locations, number, and competency of CB personnel

9.    As in # 8, for auditors (including sub-contract auditors)

10.  Procedures for auditor and subcontract auditor training, oversight, performance tracking and calibration

11.  Procedures for CB technical review of audit reports, non-conformities, corrective action evidence

12.  Procedures for making the certification decision

13.  Information as to which offices would apply (should approval be granted) for extension to scope of their existing ISO/IEC Guide 65 accreditation to include the relevant BAP standard(s), and the name of the intended AB(s). (Every CB applicant office involved in auditing and certification under BAP must be included as part of the scope of accreditation by a BAP-recognized AB.)

C.     Submit all required forms and documents to BAP management along with the application fee of $4000 USD.

Best Aquaculture Practices
706 N Suncoast Blvd 
Crystal River,Florida 34429 USA
or
P.O. Box 2530
Crystal River, Florida 34423 USA
Telephone: +1-352-563-0565      Fax: +1-425-650-3001