Milieu Centraal illustration of the "Top Ecolabels" from its latest benchmark, including that of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
Photo: Milieu Centraal
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has been listed once again as a "Top Ecolabel" by the Dutch independent consumer advice organisation Milieu Centraal, according to a news announcement on 8 October.
The ASC said the recognition "confirm[s] ASC’s continued status as a trusted and high-performing certification for responsibly farmed seafood."
Milieu Centraal, which is supported by the Netherlands government, reviews ecolabels aimed at consumers every three years, assessing them based on credibility, transparency and impact. The latest review, which was published on 30 September, maintained ASC’s status as a trusted certification for responsible aquaculture.
ASC pointed out that the Dutch organisation’s 2025 evaluation was the first to assess ASC’s new Farm Standard, which combines and strengthens requirements across all certified farms. According to ASC, this update means it is now the only Top Ecolabel for farmed fish and seafood that includes environmental responsibility, social accountability and fish welfare.
ASC’s chief executive, Chris Ninnes, said, “We are proud that Milieu Centraal continues to recognise ASC as a leading ecolabel. Their independent assessment confirms the robustness of our new Farm Standard and reflects our mission to drive improvements in aquaculture worldwide.”
The organisation argued that the recognition "gives consumers confidence that their purchases contribute to environmental protection, fair working conditions, and healthy communities - making sustainable choices simpler at the supermarket."
The full benchmark results are available on Milieu Centraal’s online guide to quality labels.
