For an eligible aquaculture production facility to become SAMAQ certified, it must comply with the requirements stated in the SAMAQ standards and audit form.
SAMAQ applicants initially review and complete the audit form, send it to SAS and request for a site audit. The facility must appoint a contact person for all relevant correspondence and operations.
Upon receipt and review of the self-completed audit form, SAS trained auditors contact the appointed person of the facility and arrange for a suitable date for the audit. During the audit the contact person of the facility must have available all relevant documents and records.
To become SAMAQ certified, the facility must comply with the ALL requirements stated in the SAMAQ standards and audit form. Any non-conformity raised during the evaluation is recorded by the auditor in the formal report as:
When there is a failure to comply with a critical food safety, social compliance or legal issue, the SAS auditor immediately notifies the SAS SAMAQ coordinator who in turn informs ADMEWA. Failure to comply with these standards results in failure of certification and subsequent not approval (or suspension in the case of renewal) of the SAMAQ logo.
When there is a substantial failure to meet the requirements of a standard but no food safety risk, the auditor notifies the SAS SAMAQ coordinator and records this in the report. Verification of the implementation of corrective actions shall be submitted to SAS within 28 days of the audit. (Major non-conformities typically reflect issues with general policies.
When full compliance with the intent of the standards has not been demonstrated, the auditor notifies the SAS SAMAQ coordinator and records this in the report. Verification of the implementation of corrective actions shall be submitted to SAS within 28 days of the audit. (Minor non-conformities typically reflect general housekeeping issues.)
In all cases, the outcome of the audit (SAMAQ audit report) is communicated to ADMEWA
Important points:
- After initial certification, facilities pay a SAMAQ program fee based on production volume. Minimum and maximum values are set according to facility type.
- SAMAQ certification remains in effect for one year from the date of final certification approval by SAS.
- In each successive year, facilities must undergo a site inspection and audit. Facilities must complete recertification by their recertification date to be in full compliance with the SAMAQ programme.
- Upon the successful audit of the facility a Certificate of SAMAQ Compliance (CoC) is then issued and send to the facility’s contact person (see Annex 1).
- Points 2 and 3 above do not apply for facilities holding a valid (updated) BAP certificate. In such case the contact person of the facility provides a copy of the valid BAP certification to the SAS SAMAQ coordinator, who in turn notifies ADMEWA. A Certificate of SAMAQ compliance (CoC) is then issued and send to the facility’s contact person.
