There are four programs to provide accreditation to field inspectors, seed conditioning facilities and seed testing laboratories. The objective of these programs is to confirm uniformity of procedures and methodology thereby enhancing seed commerce both domestically and globally.
These programs are voluntary, user-fee services based on the Process Verified Program:
- Accredited Field Inspection Program (AFIP)
- For field inspectors operating under OECD guidelines. Applicable standards are S&T 1001: USDA Process Verified Program (pdf) and S&T 1005C: USDA Accredited Field Inspection Program (AFIP) Specified Program Requirements (pdf) Procedures.
- Accredited Seed Sampling Program (ASSP)
- For individual samplers or sampling entities that conduct official sampling according to AASCO, OECD, or FSA sampling guidelines. Applicable standards are S&T 1001: USDA Process Verified Program (pdf) and S&T 1005B: USDA Accredited Seed Sampling Program (ASSP) Specified Program Requirements (pdf) Procedures.
- Accredited Seed Laboratory Program (ASL)
- For seed laboratories performing purity and germination testing according to AOSA Rules. Applicable standards are S&T 1001: USDA Process Verified Program (pdf) and S&T 1005A: USDA Accredited Seed Laboratory (ASL) Program Specified Program Requirements (pdf) Procedures.
- Accredited Seed Conditioning Program (ASCP)
- For seed entities performing seed conditioning or blending activities. Applicable standards are S&T 1001: USDA Process Verified Program (pdf) and S&T 1005D: USDA Accredited Seed Conditioning Program (ASCP) Specified Program Requirements (pdf) Procedures.
How the Accredited Seed Program Works
Step 1: Organizations that would like to become accredited should contact Elizabeth Stewart at Elizabeth.Stewart1@usda.gov for an application.
Step 2: The applicant must then successfully pass a desk audit to ensure that all necessary documentation for their quality system is in place.
Step 3: SRTD will then conduct an on-site audit according to ISO auditing methodology. This audit is generally completed in one day but may vary depending on the size of the organization’s scope. The applicant pays for all audit costs, including travel costs and the auditor’s time, billed at $115 an hour.
Individuals/entities who meet all requirements of their selected program(s) and successfully pass the USDA Process Verified Program Audit will be able to represent themselves as accredited for the specific area or areas of accreditation. While the AFIP and ASSP applies to either individuals or organizations, the ASL and the ASCP applies only to seed testing laboratories and companies.
Official Listing of USDA Approved Accredited Seed Entities
The current list of accredited individuals or entities (pdf) have successfully passed a document review and on-site audit conducted by AMS as outlined in S&T Procedures 1000 and 1001; and they have been found in conformance with all criteria of their approved quality management systems and Accredited Seed Program.
S&T Standards
- S&T 1000: General Policies and Procedures (pdf)
- S&T 1001: USDA Process Verified Program (pdf)
- S&T 1005: USDA Process Verified Program for Seed General Requirements (pdf)
- S&T 1005A: USDA Accredited Seed Laboratory (ASL) Program Specified Program Requirements (pdf)
- S&T 1005B: USDA Accredited Seed Sampling Program (ASSP) Specified Program Requirements (pdf)
- S&T 1005C: USDA Accredited Field Inspection Program (AFIP) Specified Program Requirements (pdf)
- S&T 1005D: USDA Accredited Seed Conditioning Program (ASCP) Specified Program Requirements (pdf)
Canadian Seed Grader Program
We certifiy U.S. analysts to assign Canadian grade names to seed shipments to Canada. Without an assigned Canadian grade name, seed tested in the United States must undergo additional testing and grading when it arrives in Canada. The Program streamlines seed trade between the United States and Canada.
United States seed analysts who complete this program are given official recognition by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Accredited graders may review the information on reports of analysis and assign a Canadian pedigreed grade name to crop kinds as specified in the Grade Tables of Schedule I of the Canadian Seeds Regulations.
For more information about this program, or the accredited seed program, please contact:
Todd Erickson
SRTD Laboratory Supervisor
704-810-8877
todd.erickson@usda.gov