Autoria: KRZYZANOWSKI, F. C.

Resumo: ISTA - International Seed Testing Association, founded in 1924 aiming to develop and publish standard procedures in the field of seed testing, is a non-profit association of public and private seed testing laboratories and persons under the Governance of the Government of member countries. ISTA works to achieve reproducibility in seed quality determination on a worldwide basis. Currently there are 58 countries with at least one ISTA accredited laboratory. The number of member laboratories is 211 from which 123 are accredited ones. The goals of ISTA are international standardization of: reporting results (Orange Certificate); methodologies for testing seeds (Rules), laboratory performance (Accreditation Programme) and international exchange of scientific results (Journal of Seed Science and Technology, Seed Symposiums and Seed Seminars). Since 1933 ISTA has published the International Rules for Testing Seeds. The ISTA Rules can be modified and amended annually by members and non-members, public and private laboratories or persons working in the area of seed science and technology during ISTA Annual Meeting held every year in a different country. To update the Rules, ISTA has 17 technical committees which are responsible for the study and validation of the proposed new seed evaluation method. The technical committees are also responsible for training, education and publication within its area of expertise. To achieve reproducibility of seed quality determination, the standardization of laboratory performance is highly important through: the continuous monitoring of performance through proficiency tests, development of a quality assurance system according to one international standards within the laboratory, regular auditing of the laboratories through an independent body and the further training and education of seed analysts in international training and education workshops. The ISTA accreditation programme is open for seed testing laboratories from the public and private sectors. The ISTA accreditation and audit programme is globally accepted and used worldwide. The accredited laboratories are entitled to issue ISTA Certificates, which are accepted by all countries and are mandatory for seed imports in a growing number of countries. ISTA is actively facilitating the international seed trade.

Ano de publicação: 2012

Tipo de publicação: Resumo em anais e proceedings

Unidade: Embrapa Soja

Palavras-chave: Qualidade, Semente