What does "seed certification" ensure?

Seed certification is a critical process designed to guarantee that seeds meet established standards of quality and are true to their designated variety. This involves rigorous inspection and testing to verify the genetic identity of the seed and to ensure that it meets specific criteria regarding its purity, seedling vigor, and overall health. By focusing on these attributes, seed certification helps both producers and consumers by providing assurance that the seeds they are using will perform as expected and produce the desired crop.

While it might be tempting to think that seed certification also guarantees freedom from pests or maximum germination rates, these aspects are just part of the broader range of quality control measures and not the sole focus of certification. Similarly, though organic growth practices can be part of certain certification programs, they are not intrinsically included in the definition of seed certification itself. Thus, the main purpose of seed certification is to ensure that seeds conform to required quality standards and maintain true varietal characteristics.