ASCS FAQs

ASSC has been designed to certify any forest risk commodity. Whilst much of the focus has been on soyabean meal, the standard can be used to certify palm based products and, importantly, co-products such as soya hulls and palm kernel expeller.

ASCS has been designed for AIC members to help them meet any EUDR due diligence requirements and market requirements from downstream customers such as processors and retailers. Benefits to participants include:

• ASCS provides independent verification that commodities such as soya have been produced free from deforestation.
• ASCS delivers transparency – participants will be listed on a publicly available register (AIC Trade Assurance checker) providing transparency and confidence for downstream customers.
• ASCS helps meet regulatory and market requirements for other businesses in the supply chain that might be in scope of the EUDR Regulation (i.e. UK producers of beef and cattle products exported to EU).
• ASCS is a single Scheme, accepted by the whole supply chain, thus negating the need for AIC members to meet and report on many differing requirements.
• ASCS is a flexible scheme enabling further modules to be developed as legislation and market requirements develop. For example:
• A module for ‘deforestation and conversion-free’ commodities
• A module for ‘Green labelling’ claims on feed, such as LCA data

There are two initial modules in the Scheme. Module 1 is for Participants to demonstrate alignment with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) from origin to UK. This module is intended for use by importers of commodities to the UK. Module 2 is for feed mill operators in the UK to demonstrate that they operate a deforestation free Chain of Custody for the in-scope commodities used within the UK feed industry. If you are not an importer but operate in the feed supply chain in the UK then Module 2 is the one you should apply for.

No, as with all AIC assurance schemes, membership is voluntary.

It is a prerequisite of ASCS that all raw materials/feeds are also certified under a feed safety Scheme that is either managed by AIC or recognised as equivalent by AIC.

This requirement will greatly simplify auditing as certain requirements under sections of ASCS are also common to feed safety schemes recognised by AIC.

Whilst EUDR will not apply in GB (it is expected that the regulation will apply in Northern Ireland) it is clear that downstream customers such as processors and retailers who are UK Soya Manifesto signatories, will be asking their suppliers to source feed that is demonstrably deforestation free or aligned with the requirements of EUDR. ASCS helps participants meet these requirements.

ASCS certification confirms that the participant has provided evidence to an auditor that deforestation free claims for certain commodities can be justified and upheld. Downstream customers such as processors and retailers who are UK Soya Manifesto signatories have indicated they support the principle of ASCS and some may choose to specify the Scheme in their sourcing requirements.

Once you have applied to join the Scheme, the appointed certification body will contact you to discuss audit dates and run through the pre-audit requirements to ensure you are ‘audit-ready’.

The audit will require inspection of documents which provide relevant information on the commodities in scope arriving at, being processed through, and leaving your facility. This will entail an audit of how you account for commodities that are claimed to be free from deforestation from the point of procurement, through to delivery of commodities or feed to your customer.

Yes, AIC has appointed an independent certification body to manage the Scheme which includes the separate functions of carrying out audits and certifying participants.

Yes, the Scheme rules set out rules on suspension, withdrawal and reinstatement.

The costs of joining the Scheme, costs of audits and subsequent certification are set out in the Scheme documents on the AIC website and on the How to join ASCS page.

Yes, AIC has discussed the development of the Scheme with downstream supply chain partners including close engagement with UK Soya Manifesto signatories and Retail Soy Group. All parties have been consulted on the Scheme and have expressed support for it.

In the event that EUDR implementation is delayed until 30th December 2026, Northern Ireland importers can apply for Module 1 and feed businesses can apply for Module 2. AIC recognise that requirements in Northern Ireland may change when it becomes clearer how and when EUDR will be applied. The ASCS Standard Working Group will be convened to consider what amendments might need to be made to Modules 1 and 2 to reflect the requirements of participants in Northern Ireland.

Yes. If you have downstream customers asking you to supply livestock derived products that have been fed on feed that is demonstrably deforestation free, the Scheme will help demonstrate that you are able to meet this requirement.