Implementation Rules of Crop Seed Certification (Pilot) comes into force

In mid-Dec. 2023, jointly with the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Affairs of the P.R.C. (MARA), the State Administrationfor Market Regulation publicized the Implementation Rules of Crop SeedCertification (Pilot) (the Certification Rules). The crop varietylist was also released in the Catalogue of Crop Seed Certification (FirstBatch).

The Certification Rules stipulates the basis for seedcertification, requirements for certification institutions, certificationprocedures, etc. Seed certification activities carried out in China shallcomply with the provisions of the Certification Rules.

Requirements forcertification institutions

Certification institutions should be established legally and obtaincorresponding certification qualifications:

1.       Possess corresponding inspection and testingcapabilities: Be able to independently carry our molecular testing such as highthroughput SSR and SNP;

2.       Possess certain area of fields for appraisal.

3.       Have the qualification in crop seed inspectionor establish inspection cooperation with at least 1 seed inspection institutionthat has gained the CASL certificate (China Accredited Seed Laboratory).

4.       Establish and implement a competency evaluationsystem for seed inspectors.

5.       Bear the obligation of confidentiality of statesecrets and trade secrets known in the process of seed certification.

Requirements forcertified personnel

Certification institutions should have certified personnel who match therequirements of the seed certification activity.

1.       Certified personnel should have education andwork experience in agriculture, biological science, agricultural engineering,biology, chemistry, and other related fields, have received relevant training,and have the corresponding knowledge and skills.

2.       Certification institutions shall have seedcertification inspectors, including more than two seed sampling personnel andover two field inspectors.

Basis forcertification

The Technical Specifications for Crop Seed Certification,formulated and issued by the MARA, includes general provisions and specifictechnical specifications.

Requirements forenterprises applying for seed certification

1.       Obtain the Crop Seed Production and BusinessLicense which covers the certified crops and varieties.

2.       Have established and effectively implemented aquality management system for seed production and processing for over threemonths.

3.       Crops being certified should be included in the Catalogueof Crop Seed Certification. Specifically, the main crop varieties shouldhave state or provincial approval, and the others should be registered, exceptfor those not included in the catalogue of non-main crop variety registration.

4.       The certificate has not been revoked within fiveyears due to excessive use of certification logo, provision of falseinformation, or having major quality accidents of certified seeds.

5.       Not included in related catalogues of seriouslyuntrustworthy entities of national credit information.

Materials need tobe submitted for seed certification from seed enterprises

1.       The scanned copy of the Crop Seed Productionand Business License

2.       Characteristics, characteristic descriptions,standard photos and standard samples of the varieties (hybrids include parentalseeds).

3.       The seed production plan, the overview of theproduction field and the seed production technical regulations of thevarieties.

4.       Authenticity Commitment.

Certificationprocedures, certification application review, certification implementation,post-certification management, certificate management

Abridged.

Use ofcertification logo

1.       After gaining seed certification, enterprisescan use the certification logo on the certificated seeds and their packaging,on the production and operation sites, in their advertisements and relatedpromotional materials, and on the certificates.

2.       The certification logo shall be used with thename or logo of the certification institution and shall also be accompanied bythe seed label information code when used on the certified seeds and theirpackaging.

3.       If the enterprise does not standardize the useof the certification logo, the certification institution shall require theenterprise to make corrections. If it causes adverse effects, its certificateshall be suspended; and if the circumstances are serious, the certificate shallbe revoked.

4.       During the suspension of the certificate, thecertification institution shall notify and supervise the enterprise to suspendthe use of the certificate and certification logo.

Revocation ofcertification

Certification institutions shall revoke the certificates of certifiedenterprises who are in any of the following circumstances and shall announce itto the public.

1.       The quality of certified seeds no longer meetsthe requirements of the technical specifications for crop seed certification.

2.       The certified enterprise falsely reports orconceals relevant information.

3.       The certified enterprise uses the certificationlogo beyond the scope.

4.       The certified enterprise is complained byrelevant parties due to major quality problems of the certified seeds and failsto take effective measures.

5.       The certified enterprise refuses to accept thesupervision of the certification institution.

6.       The enterprise still does not meet thecertification requirements after the expiration of the suspension period of thecertificate.

7.       Other matters that require the revocation of thecertificate.

Note: If the certificate is revoked, the enterpriseshall return the revoked certification certificate and the unused certificationlogo to the certification institution, or the enterprise shall destroy theremaining certification logo and product packaging with the certification logounder the supervision of the certification institution. If necessary, theenterprise should withdraw the corresponding batch of products with thecertification logo.

Crop SeedCertification Certificate (Main Certificate) (Sample)

Certificate No.:CSC**********

(Certificateholder)

This is certified that the seeds applied for certification by your unitcomply with the Technical Specifications for Crop Seed Certification -General Principles and the Technical Specifications for Crop SeedCertification - (Crop Name) after review, and the use of crop seedcertification logo is permitted.

Specific crops, varieties, seed types, seed quantities, and validityperiods of certificates are shown in the supplementary certificate.

Date of issuance:

Certification logo

Certification institution logo (optional)

Legal representative (issuer): Certification institution (official seal)

Phone:

Address:

QR code (associated information in main and supplementary certificates)