Provision of Official Seed Certification Labels

1.2 Seed Certification is a requirement in the UK under Devolved Authority (DA) Legislation. It is a consumer protection measure designed to assure the quality of seed of Agricultural and Horticultural species covered by the seed marketing regulations when seeds are marketed to seed companies, growers and farmers. APHA is responsible for seed certification in England and also acts on behalf of the Welsh Government in certifying seed crops and seed marketed in Wales. The Scottish Government (SG) is responsible in Scotland and Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland. The official seed certification label is the means by which the Certifying Authority can guarantee that seed has been tested and passed the standards set out in the Seed Marketing Regulations. The label is also a quality control document as it allows traceability of the seed marketed, through the unique sequential number, to the company who marketed the seed and seed lot and crop from which the seed was grown and harvested.