OECD certification

Certifying seed in England and Wales for export under the OECD Seed Schemes

This guide is to highlight the steps to certifying seed in England and Wales for export to Northern Ireland, EU and all other countries that are members of the OECD Seed Schemes.

The start of the process is the same as for certifying seed in England and Wales under UK legislation:

  1. A sample of multiplication seed is submitted to NIAB with an accompanying CERT5. For imported seed, one of the original labels is sent with the sample.
    a) Seed is included in control plots for observation for varietal purity and identity throughout the growing season. Observations from the plots will be shared with the seed company and official inspector where appropriate. Plot Orientated Check Inspections can be raised in cases of serious contamination or concerns over varietal identity.
  2. Crops are sown.
  3. A crop entry is made using a CERT2.
  4. A timely field inspection is carried out by an appropriately qualified crop inspector who will complete a CERT3.
  5. Crop is harvested and seed processed.
  6. A request is made to NIAB for a national OECD lot number using the OECD SLRN inf  document submitted to seedcert [at] niab.com. 
  7. A CERT9 is submitted to seedcert [at] niab.com who will pass the details to an ISTA accredited seed sampler.
  8. OECD seed labels are printed and attached to the sealed containers.
    a) One extra should be printed and submitted to NIAB
  9. ISTA accredited seed sampler completes the CERT9A and samples the seed lot.
  10. Sample is submitted to OSTS for Orange International Certificate (OIC) testing.
  11. If OECD varietal standards are met, NIAB ACC issues an OECD certificate.
  12. ISTA seed test report issued on completion of testing.
  13. Owner of seed checks seed test results plus other documentation meets requirements of customer and the rules for the country where they are located. 
  14. At this point seed can be moved and marketed outside of Great Britain.