THE OECD SCHEMES for the 
Varietal Certification of Seed, better 
known as the OECD Seed Schemes, were 
established in 1958. The OECD Seed 
Schemes promote the use of certified 
agriculture seed that is of consistently 
high quality. These seeds are produced 
and officially controlled according to a 
set of harmonised procedures imple­
mented in the 64 participating countries.
The OECD Seed Schemes provide an 
international framework for the certifi­
cation of varietal identity and purity of 
agricultural seed moving in international 
trade. Assuring free-flowing international 
seed trade requires continued coopera­
tion and trust.
The Seed Schemes provide important 
benefits to participating countries:
1. Facilitate international trade, pro­
viding access to new varieties as well as 
enabling entry to important agricultural 
export markets. It provides a framework 
to develop seed production with other 
countries or companies.
2. Build trust through an inclusive and 
participatory standard setting process, 
and facilitate regular exchanges of infor­
mation with other national certification 
agencies.
3. Establish an accessible varietal cer­
tification system based on field inspection 
and control plot testing to guarantee the 
identity and purity of seed lots. As such, a 
number of countries and regional markets 
(e.g. the EU) have adopted the OECD 
standards into their legislation.
4. Provide an international regulatory 
framework governing the formal seed 
sector.
5. Support constructive collaboration 
between the public and private sector.
THE OECD SEED SCHEMES: 
QUALITY SEEDS FOR WORLD NEEDS
Tackling the Challenges Facing the 
Seed Sector and Food Systems
As a key agricultural input, seeds play a 
fundamental role in improving food secu­
rity and nutrition, supporting the liveli­
hoods of farmers and rural communities, 
and contributing to sustainable resource 
use and adaptation to evolving growing 
conditions.
Innovation and access to new varieties 
is essential to improve the productivity, 
sustainability and resilience of agricultural 
production. As farmers and consum­
ers become more demanding about the 
origin and quality of agricultural inputs, 
there is a greater need for trust and har­
monisation of seed standards.
Co-operation among countries and 
stakeholders in the framework of the 
Schemes is a response to the concern for 
a market-responsive regulatory approach 
to seed certification. The OECD Seed 
Schemes are constantly working towards 
their adaptation to new challenges to fur­
ther strengthen the relevance and values 
of the Schemes.
To support both new applicants and 
participating countries, and ensure the 
accurate implementation of the rules and 
regulations, the Schemes offer training 
for government officials. This training 
and capacity building is often delivered 
by volunteer experts from participating 
countries. The Seed Schemes have devel­
oped a number of training modules to 
support capacity building including Seed 
Biology, Breeding, Seed Production, Seed 
lot identification and traceability, Labelling 
and Sealing of Containers, Field inspec­
tion and a number of species specific 
modules. 
“The OECD international seed 
certification standards 
are traditionally 
developed and 
regularly updated 
together with 
governments, relevant international 
organisations and representatives 
of the international seed industry. 
This multi-stakeholder approach is 
the real strength of the OECD seed 
schemes, creating a benchmark in the 
international seed sector.”
— Csaba Gaspar
“The OECD Seed Schemes support 
international 
seed certification 
and trusted 
global seed trade, 
strengthening food 
security and agriculture worldwide.”
— Marion Jansen
INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2026  SEEDWORLD.COM /  67

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