These guidelines are the key output of the MPEDA/NaCSA/NACA collaborative project on the certification of aquaculture societies. Draft guidelines developed by the project partners were discussed at the inception meeting on aquacutlure society certifiction held at Kakinada during 1-2 September 2009. The meeting was attended by leaders of the aquaculture societies, representatives of certifying bodies and institutions.

As per the recommendations of the inception meeting, pilot testing of group certification was carried out during January to September 2010 in three societies and the draft guidelines were revised in October 2010, considering the lessons learnt from the pilot testing. The guidelines developed are independent of commodity and certification standards. The guidelines prepare and enable aquaculture societies to seek group certification from independent third party certification programmes.