Seed Testing and Accreditation Schemes
Scope of Activities
| Agency | Primary Objective(s) | Germination Purity Noxious | Biotech Trait | Field Inspection/ Sampling | Accreditation Schemes | Mutual Recognition | Yearly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOSA www.aosaseed.com |
1. Education & accreditation of analysts.
2. Research & development of standardized testing protocols to enhance trade & movement of seed. |
Yes |
Yes (through SCST accreditation) |
AOSA rules cover sampling guidelines & intensity. | Analyst accreditation, laboratory membership | AOSCA, CFIA, OECD, ISF arbitration rules | $600 per lab |
| AOSCA (U.S.) www.aosca.org |
Coordinate seed certification activities of state & international member Agencies. |
Yes |
Conduct IRM assessments and trait-specific QA programs | According to AOSCA Genetic and Crop Standards | Certify seed grown in accordance to AOSCA standards. Agencies approve seed conditioning facilities | AOSA, SCST, OECD, | Seed Agencies pay dues plus assessments based on the amount of certified seed acres. Affiliate/Associate memberships @$50/Year |
| ISST www.isstech.org |
Education & accreditation of analysts internationally. |
Yes |
Yes | No | Analyst | No | $50 per individual |
| ISTA www.seedtest.org |
1. Development, validation & standardization of seed testing rules on international level
2. Accreditation of Seed testing labs worldwide. 3. Education & Training of seed analysts 4. Publication of Scientific Journal |
Yes |
Yes (laboratory accreditation) | ISTA Rules for seed sampling | Laboratory accreditation, Analyst membership | OECD, Canada, EU, ISF, APSA, AFSTA, ESA, National Governments (72 member Governments) | $4475 per lab for membership including participation in international proficiency test program (3 per year) |
| NSHS www.seedhealth.org |
Accreditation of private and public entities for phytosanitary field inspections, sampling, visual inspection, and laboratory seed health testing. |
No |
No | Yes, for phytosanitary certification | Entity (i.e. a private company, etc.) accreditation granted by USDA-APHIS-PPQ. ISO 9001-2000 based. | USDA-APHIS program established by Federal Register rule 7 CFR 353.9 | Yearly fee is 16.5% of the initial accreditation fee. Reaccreditation required every 3 years. |
| OECD Seed Schemes (U.S.) www.ams.usda.gov/ lsg/seed/oecd.htm |
Aid in movement of Certified Seed to countries which require OECD Certified Seed. SRTB head of U.S. delegation. |
Yes |
No, except as claimed |
Yes | Allow for accreditation however, none accredited through OECD | AOSCA and 54 other nations | Based on U.S. GDP |
| SCST www.seedtechnology.net |
1. Education & accreditation of analysts.
2. Research & development of standardized testing protocols to enhance trade & movement of seed. |
Yes |
Yes | AOSA rules cover sampling guidelines & intensity. | Analyst | AOSCA, CFIA (Canada), OECD | $250 per individual |
| U.S. Accredited Seed Lab Program www.ams.usda.gov/ lsg/arc/asl.htm |
Quality management system for field, sampling, and/or testing |
Yes |
Future Option | Yes | USDA process Verified Program USDA shield ISO 9001-2000 based | ECD, Canada, Canadian Grader, Australia applied for | Every 3 years, actual audit costs |
| Table Key | |
| 1) | What are the primary objectives of your organization? Examples: a. Accreditation for labs on germination b. Quality Management Systems c. OECD certification |
| 2) | Please specify which categories are in scope. For each category, indicate Yes or N/A. |
| 3) | Who do you certify or accredit? Examples: a. Laboratories b. Analysts |
| 4) | What organizations recognize your process or scope as proxy for similar service offered. Example: a. AOSA/ISTA mutual recognition |
| 5) | What are annual fees? |
| Abbreviations | |
| AOSA | Association of Official Seed Analysts |
| AOSCA | Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies |
| ISST | International Society of Seed Technologists |
| ISTA | International Seed Testing Association |
| NSHS | National Seed Health System |
| OECD | Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development |
| SCST | Society of Commercial Seed Technologists |
