DEAS 821: 202 4 
ICS 65.020.20   
 
© EA C 2024                                                                                                                         Second Edition 2024   
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Maize seed — Requirements for certification  
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY  DEAS 821: 2024  
ii © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 Copyright notice  
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© East African Community  2023  — All rights reserved  
East African Community  
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Tanzania  
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Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted . DEAS  821: 2024  
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Symbols and/or abbreviated terms  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 5 
5 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  5 
5.1 Eligible varieties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 5 
5.2 Inspect ion and laboratory testing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  5 
5.2.1  Application for inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  5 
6 Seed classes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
7 Field requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  6 
8 Field inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 8 
9 Seed sampling and laboratory standards  ................................ ................................ ...........................  9 
10 Certificates  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  10 
11 Packaging and labelling ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  10 
12 Post -control tests  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  11 
Annex  A (normative)  Application for field inspection of a seed crop  ................................ ........................  12 
Annex  B (Normative)  Field inspection report  ................................ ................................ ...............................  13 
Annex  C (Normative)  Seed testing certificate  ................................ ................................ ..............................  14 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  15 
 DEAS 821: 2024  
iv © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Development of the East African Standards h as been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are  exchanged 
within the Community will be removed.  
The Community has established an East African Standards Committee  (EASC)  mandated to develop and 
issue East African Standards  (EAS) . The Committee is composed of representatives of the National 
Standards Bo dies in Partner States, together with the representatives from the public and private sector 
organizations  in the community .  
East African Standards are developed through  Technical Committees that are representative of key 
stakeholders including government , academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties. 
Draft East African Standards are circulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodies in the 
Partner States. The comments received are discussed and incorporated before f inalization of standards, in 
accordance with the Principles and procedures for develop ment of East African Standards.  
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee EASC/TC 012, Seeds and propagation 
material . 
Attention is drawn to the possibility that  some of the elements of this document may be subject of patent 
rights. EAC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
This second edition cancels and replaces the firs t edition  (EAS 821:2015 ), which has been technically r evised.  
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 821: 2023  
4 
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  1 
 Maize seed — Requirements for certification  
1 Scope   
This Draft East African Standard specifies the certification requirements for the production of pre -basic, basic 
and certified seed of maize ( Zea mays  L.). It includes requirements for eligible  varieties, field standards, field 
inspections, seed sampling, laboratory standards, certificates, packaging, labelling and post -control tests . 
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of the ir content constitutes 
requirements of this document.  For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
International Seed Testing Association (IS TA) Rules  
OECD Seed Schemes: Guidelines for Control Plot Tests and Field Inspection of Seed Crops  
OECD Schemes for Varietal Certification or the Control of Seed Moving in International Trade  
UPOV Test guidelines for maize  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the  purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISTA, UPOV and OECD  and the 
following apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
 
3.1 
seed test certificate  
legal document issued by the national seed certification autho rity, which states that a seed lot has met the 
prescribed requirements set in this standard  
3.2 
distinctness  
variety is deemed to be distinct if it is clearly distinguishable in at least one character from any other variety 
whose existence is a matter of c ommon knowledge at the time of filing t he application for registration   
2 © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 3.3 
field 
defined and identifiable area of land or facility that is used to produce a seed crop under the Seed Certification 
Scheme  
3.4 
field inspection  
examination of a field and or se ed crop, by an inspector to confirm that the minimum requirements for s eed 
certification have been met  
3.5 
field number  
number assigned to the field when the application form for certification is submitted  
3.6 
germination  
emergence and development of a see dling to a stage where the aspect of its essential structures indicates 
whether or not it is able to develop further into a satisfactory plant under favourable conditions in the field  
3.7 
grower  
person or entity registered to produce seed  
3.8 
hybrid variet y 
type of variety produced by the controlled crossing of parent lines in a way prescrib ed by the breeder or 
maintainer  
3.9 
inert matter  
seed units and all other matter and structures not defined as pure seed or other seeds  
3.10 
isolation  
minimum distance o r time between two crops of maize that is required to prevent contamination either 
mechanically or by cross pollination  
3.11 
inspector  
authorized official or accredited entity responsible for carrying out seed certification activities  
3.12 
Seed sampler  
person authorized by the national designated seed certificatio n authority to do seed sampling  
3.13 
label  
tag or other device that is attached to, written, stamped or printed on any container of seed or that 
accompanies any lot of bulk seed and which describes  the kind of seed and any other information required b y 
relevant laws and regulations  
3.14 
previous cropping  
minimum period (seasons or years) that must elapse between the production of a crop of the same species in 
a field and the production of a crop en tered in the certifi cation scheme in the same field   
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  3 
 3.15 
maintainer  
person or organisation responsible for the production or maintenance of a bred variety included in a national 
list of varieties eligible for certification, and ensures that the variety rem ains true to type throughout its full life -
span  
3.16 
national seed certification authority  
designated authority responsible for conducting seed certification processes in the country  
3.17 
noxious weed  
weed species, the seed of which is difficult to separat e during processing or has undesirable effects on the 
crop produced  
3.18 
off-type 
plant of the same species which does not exhibit the recognised and acceptable characteristics of the variety 
being grown  
3.19 
other seeds  
seeds of any plant species other t han that of the c rop sample that is being tested  
3.20 
open pollinated variety (OPV)  
variety that is normally produced by natural (un -controlled) pollination  
3.21 
parental lines  
population or lines used by a breeder to develop and maintain a variety  
3.22 
post-control plot  
small plot where a representative sample of a seed lot is grown to determine the ide ntity and purity of the 
variety  
3.23 
pure seed  
specie stated by an applicant, or found to predominate in a test, and includes all botanical varieties and 
cultivars of that species, including intact seeds and pieces of seed units larger th an one -half their original size  
3.24 
variety  registration  
inclusion of an approved new variety in a national variety catalogue when it has been tested and satisfied the 
requirements for distinctness, uniformity, stability, and has value for cultivation and use 
3.25 
rogueing  
removal of off -types, other varieties, and diseased or any other unwanted plants from a seed crop  
3.26 
seed certification  
process by which the quality and  identity of a seed lot is assured through official control by designated seed 
certification authority   
4 © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 3.27 
seed lot  
defined quantity of seed bearing the same reference number and for which the origin, production history and 
identity is known  
3.28 
stabilit y 
state of a variety where distinguishing characteristics remain unchanged after repeated growing cyc les 
3.29 
variety  
assemblage of cultivated  plants that is clearly distinguished from other varieties by any characters 
(morphological, physiological, cytolo gical, chemical, or others) and which retains its distinguishing 
characteristics when reproduced by the normal means for the crop and variety  
3.30 
variety catalogue  
detailed list of varieties that have been registered by a national designated authority  
3.31 
uniformity  
state of a variety subject to the variation that may be expected from the particular features of its propagation, 
to remain sufficiently homogeneous in its relevant characteristics  
3.32 
synthetic variety  
variety which is produced by crossing in all combination a number of inbred lines that combines well with each 
other. Once synthesized is maintained b y open pollination in isolation  
3.33 
carryover seed  
seed produced in previous season and stored for one or more cropping seasons/ or past its va lid test duration 
subject to meeting the requirements  of the standard upon retesting  
3.34 
pre-basic seed  
seed that is derived from breeder seed that is used to produce basic seed through one cycle of multiplication  
Note 1 to entry  breeder seed is an origi nal parental material produced by the breeder and which is multiplied through 
one or more generations to produce pre -basic seed  
3.35 
basic seed  
seed that has been produced from pre -basic seed that is used for the production of certified seed  
3.36 
certifie d seed  
seed that is produced from basic seed through one or two generations of multiplication  
3.36.1 
certified seed, 1st generation (C1)  
first generation of seed derived from basic seed  
3.36.2 
certified seed, 2nd generation (C2)  
certified seed 1st generati on which is multiplied once   
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  5 
 4 Symbols and /or abbreviated terms  
 DUS:   Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability . 
 ISTA:  International Seed Testing Association . 
 OECD:  Organization for Economic Co -operation and Development.  
 UPOV:  International Union for the Prote ction of New Varieties of Plants . 
5 General requirements  
5.1 Eligible  varieties  
5.1.1  Key parameters required  to implement this standard are  variety  descriptors, genetic purity of  seed 
sown, field standards, laboratory standards and post -control tests . 
5.1.2  Varieties eligible for seed certification shall be those that have been examined, tested and registered 
in at least one member country of the EAC and are includ ed in the national variety catalogue of that country. 
The country adopting the variety shall test it for at least one season.  
5.1.3  Examination of a candidate variety for certification shall be undertaken in accordance with UPOV and 
OECD Seed scheme. The official descriptor of the variety shall be made available for the national seed 
certification auth ority and its inspectors to check the identity and purity of the variety during field inspections.  
5.1.4  Each national seed certification authority shall keep the official descriptor of the varieties it has 
registered in hard and electronic copies and thes e shall be made available within the EAC on request . 
5.2 Inspection and laboratory testing  
5.2.1  Application  for inspection  
A grower shall apply for inspection of a seed crop within thirty (30) days after planting by filling the form with 
the information as pr escribed in Annex A. The minimum information for an application for inspection of a seed 
crop shall include the following:  
a) name, address and contact details of the applicant;  
b) crop and variety to be sown;  
c) physical location;  
d) area and reference number of th e field, and its cropping history for  the past two cropping seasons;  
e) class of seed to be produced; and  
f) registration number of the grower . 
5.2.2  Information and records related to the previous cropping history, origin of seed planted, and field 
inspections shall be kept and used for certification to ensure full traceability of quality, genetic identity and 
purity of the seed harvested.  
5.2.3  The inspection of seed crops shall be done as guided by the OECD Seed Schemes: Guidelines for 
Control Plot Tests and F ield Inspection of Seed Crops. If the field is found to be in conformity with the 
standards stated in Table 1 or Table 2 and is approved, the harvested seed shall be identified, transported, 
stored, and processed.   
6 © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 5.2.4  The seed lot shall be sampled and te sted in an official or authorized laboratory. The sampling and 
testing of seed lots shall be done in accordance with the relevant procedures described in the ISTA rules .  
5.2.5  A seed lot that conforms to the standards set out in Table 3 or Table 4 shall b e given a seed test 
certificate and a unique reference number to confirm its status under the certification scheme. One part of the 
seed sample shall be retained for sowing in a post -control plot.  
6 Seed classes  
For the purpose of this standard, the followi ng classes of seed shall apply:  
a) pre-basic seed;  
b) basic seed; and  
c) certified seed:  
i. 1st generation (C1); and  
ii. 2nd generation.(C2)  
7 Field requirements  
7.1 Pre basic and basic seed shall be produced under the responsibility of the breeder or maintainer.  
7.2 Certified seed shall be produced in not more than two generations for OPVs and one generation for 
hybrids . 
7.4 A field producing a seed crop of open -pollinated maize varieties shall be approved for certification if it 
complies with the requirements given in T able 1 . 
7.5 A field producing a seed crop of hybrid maize shall be approved for certification if it complies with the  
requirements given in Table 2.  
7.6 Fields may be rejected for certification because of unsatisfactory conditions caused by noxious weeds, 
poor growth, poor crop stands, incidence and severity of disease of importance, insect damage, and any other 
condition that prevents accurate inspection or creates doubt as to the identity of the variety or the control of 
pollination in the crop . 
Table 1 — Field requirement standards for seed crops of open -pollinated varieties of maize . 
S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i.  Previous cropping (seasons 
before)1), min.  1 1 1 
ii.  Isolation, m, min.  400 400 200 
iii.  Off-types, %, max.  0.1 0.1 1st generation 
(C1) 0.5 
2nd generation 
(C2) 1 
iv.  Maximum number of plants 
infected with  head smut 
(Sphacelotheca reiliana )  - at 
final inspection  0 0 0  
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  7 
 S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
v.  Maximum number of plants 
infected with  common smut 
(Ustilago zeae  ) – at final 
inspection  0 0 0 
vi.  Maxi mum number of plants 
infected with loose smut  
(Ustilago maydis ) – at final 
inspection  0 0 0 
vii.  Maximum number of plants 
infected with Maize chlorotic 
mottle virus disease ) – at final 
inspection  0 0 0 
viii.  Maximum number of plants 
infected with Maize lethal 
necrotic disease ) – at final 
inspection  0 0 0 
ix.  Number of noxious weed s, max  0 0 0 
x.  Number of inspection s, min  2 2 2 
NOTE  Isolation by time may be possible if minimum time enough to separate the flowering phase of two varieties or 
class of a crop species is  observed.  
1 If the field has been infested with smut then, the previous cropping shall be two seasons. 
 
Table 2 — Field requirement s tandards for seed crops of hybrid maize  
S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i Previous cropping (seaso ns 
before)a), min.  1 1 1 
ii Isolation, m, min.  400 400 200 
iii Off-type, %, 
max Female  0.1 0.1 1 
Male 0.1 0.1 0.2 
iv Maximum 
number of 
female plants 
that have 
shed or are 
shedding 
pollen, %  From a single 
inspection  0.5 0.5 1 
From all 
inspections  1 1 2 
v Minimum number of 
Inspections  3 3 3 
vi Maximum  number of plants 
infected with head smut 
(Sphacelotheca reiliana ) - at 
final inspection  0 0 0 
vii Maximum number of plants 
infected with common smut 
(Ustilago zeae  ) – at final 
inspection  0 0 0 
viii Maximum number of plants 0 0 0  
8 © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
infected with loose smut  
(Ustilago maydis)  ─ at final 
inspection  
ix Maximum number of plants 
Infected with Maize lethal 
necrotic disease  at final 
inspection─ at final inspection  0 0 0 
x Maximum number of plants 
Infected with Maize chlorotic 
mottle virus disease ─ at final 
inspection  0 0 0 
NOTE Isolation by time may be possible if minimum time enough to separate the flowering phase of two varieties or 
grade of a crop species is observed . 
a If the field has been infested with smut then, the previou s cropping shall be two seasons.  
 
8 Field ins pection  
8.1 The national seed certification authority shall prepare the inspections’ schedule for the inspectors, 
based on all necessary information on the field, to ensure that the timing of inspections allows the standards in 
Table 1 or Table 2 to be pro perly assessed.  
8.2 The inspector shall inspect the field in accordance with OECD Seed Schemes: Guidelines for Control 
Plot Tests and Field Inspection of Seed Crops and shall check for isolation requirements, off types, the 
presence of noxious weeds and d iseases.  
8.3 Inspections shall be done for each seed production field to confirm the field standards specified in Table 
1 or Table 2.  
8.4 In crops producing hybrid varieties, the first inspection shall be done when 1 % of the females are at the 
silking sta ge. The second inspection shall be done five to seven days thereafter while the third shall be done 
when most silks are dry (non -receptive) and where necessary the pre - harvest inspection may be done after 
separation of the male rows from the seed.  
8.5 In a crop producing hybrid seed, the inspector shall check the identity of the parental lines following the 
official descriptors.  
8.6 For open pollinated varieties (OPV), a minimum of two field inspections shall be done shortly before 
pollen sheds and before harvest.  
8.7 At the time of the first inspection, the inspector shall confirm with the grower, the previous cropping of 
the field, checking on isolation, and the proof of origin/authenticity of the variety planted by using the labels.  
8.8 Depending on the  degree of contamination, the inspector may give instructions for off -types and 
diseased plants to be rogued to maintain the genetic purity.  In crops producing hybrid seed, rogueing is 
accepted as an option for ensuring varietal purity but plants shall be removed before pollen shedding begins. 
In the case of hybrids produced by male sterility, the inspector shall confirm that there are no male fertile 
plants in the female rows.  
8.9 The field inspection report shall indicate the field status and comments for  any corrective actions 
required such as re -inspection to confirm the field standards. All field inspection reports shall be provided to 
the grower and the seed enterprise after each inspection in a timely manner. The field inspection report in 
Annex B sha ll be signed by the inspector and may be signed by the grower or the grower's representative.   
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  9 
 9 Seed sampling and laboratory standards  
9.1 The harvested seed from the field approved for certification shall be kept as an identified unit until 
processing. Th e identification shall include; grower’s number, field crop number, packing unit, variety name 
and seed class. After processing, a sample shall be submitted to the laboratory for testing where a conformed 
sample shall be given a certificate with a unique l ot number for the purpose of traceability.  
9.2 The maximum size of a seed lot for certification purposes is 40 000 kg; lots larger than this shall be 
divided and given separate lot numbers.  
9.3 An official seed sampler shall draw a representative composit e sample from each lot as guided by ISTA 
Rules  
9.4 The composite sample shall be divided into three sub -samples, one for testing in the laboratory, one to 
be stored for reference purposes in case re -testing is necessary, and one for the post -control test. The 
samples shall be labelled, securely sealed and shall be stored in cool and dry conditions to prevent 
contamination and loss of germination.  
9.5 Laboratories authorized by the national seed certification authority to conduct seed testing for 
certificati on shall follow the methodology established in the ISTA rules for maize seed  
9.6 The seed lots shall comply with the laboratory standards specified in Table 3 or Table 4.  
Table 3 — Laboratory standards for seed lots of open -pollinated varieties of maize   
S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i Pure seed, %, min.  99 99 99 
ii Inert matter, max.  0.95 0.95 0.95 
iii Other crop seeds, %, max.  0.05 0.05 0.05 
iv Germination, %, min.  90 90 90 
v Moisture content, %, max.  13 13 13 
vi Number of weed seeds, per kg, 
max.  0 0 0 
NOTE  Moisture content is expressed as a percentage of the fresh weight of the original sample.  
 
Table 4 — Laboratory standards for seed  lots of hybrid varieties of maize  
S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i.  Pure seed, %, min.  99 99 99 
ii.  Inert matter, max.  0.95 0.95 0.95 
iii. i Other crop seeds, %, max.  0.05 0.05 0.05 
iv. v Germination, %, min.  90 90 90 
v.  Moisture content, %, max.  13 13 13 
vi.  Number of weed seeds, per kg, 
max.  0 0 0 
NOTE  Moisture content is expres sed as a percentage of the weight of the original sample.   
10 © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 10 Certificates  
10.1 The seed test certificate for a seed lot shall be signed and issued by the national seed certification 
authority and shall include all the information specified in Annex C. Thi s certificate shall be valid for a period 
not exceeding twelve months . 
10.2 Carryover seed shall be re -sample d and retested for germination.  If the test result complies with the 
minimum standards, a new test certificate shall be issued for the seed lot, wh ich cancels the previously issued 
certificate, and shall include the certificate number of the cancelled certificate.  
11 Packaging and labelling  
11.1 All classes of seed that have been certified shall be packaged in new containers which shall be marked 
with the company name, crop species and shall have the official label of the national seed certification 
authority . 
11.2 The labels for each class are identified by the following colours:  
a) pre-basic seed:      violet band on white ; 
b) basic seed:       white ; 
c) certified seed 1st generation (C1):  blue; and  
d) certified seed 2nd generation (C2):  red. 
11.3 If seeds are treated with any chemical or product harmful for human or animal consumption, the 
container shall carry a label stating the chemical or product used and war ning of the health risks.  
11.4.  The labels  shall be prominent, indelible, legible and fixed to the containers by an authorized person in 
such a way that they cannot be destroyed or easily removed. The language on the label shall be E nglish and 
any other of ficial language of the member state may be used. The following information shall be included on 
the official labels provided by national seed certification authority:  
a) name of the crop,  as, “Maize seed”;  
b) species (Latin name);  
c) variety denomination;  
d) seed lot number;  
e) seed test certificate number;  
f) date of test;  
g) net weight;  
h) seed treatment declaration (if applicable);  
i) logo of the national seed certification authority;  
j) name and address of national seed certification authority;  
k) seed class; and  
l) germination rate and purity level   
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  11 
 11.5 The following information shall be given in the container in addition to the official labels provided by 
national seed certification authority;  
a) net weight ; 
b) country of production ; 
c) year of production ; 
d) seed treatment declaration ; 
e) name and ad dress of the grower ; 
f) seed class ; and  
g) lot number  
11.6 Repackaging and relabelling  are authorized in the following cases:  
a) the national seed certification authority may authorize the re -packaging and re -labelling of a particular 
seed lot that is produced in a nother country, but shall retain the original label information of the 
producing country; and  
b) blending of a seed lot with other lots of the same variety and class (generation) is allowable if all  seed 
lots of the blend have met the field and laboratory re quirements for certification prior to blending. A 
new lot number shall be issued. Details of the blended lots and their proportions shall be kept by the 
certifying authority for traceability.  
12 Post -control tests  
The post -control tests shall be carried ou t in accordance with OECD Schemes for Varietal Certification or the 
Control of Seed Moving in International Trade .  
12 © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Application for field inspection of a seed crop  
FORM No................................................................. .. Grower No……………………....................  
 
APPLICATION FOR FIELD INSPECTION OF A SEED CROP  
 
1. Full name of grower _________Postal Address ___________ Tel. No. _____________________  
2. Farm on which the seed crop is being grown __________________ L/R. No.  _________________  
3. Physical location ____________________________________ GPS coordinates __________________  
4. Details of crop (Every crop regardless of size must be mentioned separately. A crop is field planted within 5 
days).  
       Crop         
Field 
crop 
No. Species  Variety
  Lot No. of 
seeds used  
 Class of 
seed used  Ha Date 
planted  Approximate date 
of harvest  Previous cropping 
history( Last 3 
seasons  
           
           
 
4. Seed rate per hectare ______________________________________ kg  
 
5. Registered seed merchant to whom the entire seed stock will be sold ____________________  
 
6. I have enclosed _______________________ number of labels from packets /containers of the  
Seed for this crop(s); as proof of origin.  
 
7. The person who will da ily be in charge of his seed crop is(Name/Telephone number) 
______________________________  
 
8. Declaration:  
I hereby declare that all information provided here is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I shall 
always observe all conditions gover ning Seeds production as provided in the Seeds Act and Regulations  
 
 
Date…………………………………….Signature of Applicant …………………………………….  
Stamp of seed Merchant /Grower……………………………………………………………………………….   
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  13 
 Annex  B 
(Normative)  
 
Field inspection report  
FORM ……… …..                                                    Date………….  
                                                                                                                 G/No…………  
  
FIELD INSPECTION REPORT  
 
Grow ers Name ___________________________________Species ________________________   
Variety ______________________Field No. (s) Name__________________________________  
Crop No.(s) _____________________________Hectares__________________ Class  ____________   
          1st                                         2nd                         3rd………………………………………….. Inspection (tick)  
ITEMS:   
 is the crop true to type?              Yes                       No                           Doubtful  
Remarks……………………………………………………………………………………………..  
 Isolation in distance/time           satisfactory                             Not Satisfactory  
Remarks……………………………………………………………………………………………..  
 Off-type( s) (describe)………………………………………………………………………………………  
Remarks……………………………………………………………………………………………..  
 Noxious Weeds (Specify) …………………………………………………………………………….  
Total found………………………………………………………………………………………….  
 Other Crop Species (specify)………………………………………………………………………….  
 Health (Diseases)………………………………………………………………………………………  
 Crop Stand               Good            Satisfactory                 Not satisfactory  
Remarks……………………………………………………………………………………………..  
 Estimated yield at final inspection…………………………………………………………………….  
No of  counts made……………………………… Average count………………………………………  
No of plants counted………………………………………tassels/selfing plant found……………..%  
CROP RESULT                     Pending                Approved               rejected because of …………………  
If to be re -inspected within ……………………………………………………………………….. Days  
Further remarks …………………………………………………………………………………………  
………………………………………………………………………………………Bags/ha  
Copy to: ________________________________________________  
  
Seed Inspector(s) Name……………………………………Signature …………………..  
Official stamp………………………………  
  
14 © EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  C 
(Normative)  
 
Seed testing certificate  
Form SR………………  
        OFFICIAL SEED TESTING CERTIFICATE  
 
 
 Date of Sampling              
Date received  
         
Lot Number     
Ref
: 
                              Weight of 
lot:                           
Crop species, 
Variety  As stated by inspector:    
Country of Origin                        
 RESULTS OF ANALYSIS   
                     Purity                                               Germination  Moisture   
Pur
e 
see
d 
(P) 
 
% Inert 
matter  
 
% Oth
er 
Cro
p 
see
d  
 
%  
First 
cou
nt 
 
Day
s 
 Ger
m 
(G) 
 
% (Fina
l 
coun
t) 
Days  Germ 
(G) 
 
% Har
d  
 
 
% Fresh 
Unger
m  
 
% Dea
d  
 
 
% Pure 
germinat
ing seed  
 
PxG     
(%) 
    100 
 Moistur
e % Test No.  
 
Any 
inquiries 
concerning 
this test 
MUST  
quote this 
number              
    Abnormal 
%                                                           Broken Germs 
%  
       
(1) 
       
(2) 
(3) 
       
(3) 
             
Special Tests  
 Seed dressing:  
            
  
     
                                       
 
                       
Official seed Tester  
Date:       
Copies To   Seed Testing Laboratory  
……………………………   
© EAC 2024  – All rights reserved  15 
 Bibliography  
[1] Kenya Gazette Supplement 217, Acts N 53, 2012, the Seeds and Plant Vari eties Act. Nairobi Kenya . 
[2] Seed Regulations 2007 , Seed Act N18, 2003 Republic of Tanzania   
[3] Seeds and Plant Act of Uganda, 2006  
[4] Rwanda Seed Law # 14/2003.  
[5] ASARECA, Seed Certification Standards for ten crops of the Major Economic Importance i n EAST 
Africa and Rwanda. July 2007 Obongo Nyachae STAK . 
[6] Harmonization of Seed Policies and Regulations in Eastern Africa. E CAPAPA, ASARECA September 
2002.  
[7] Kenya Seed Sector Baseline Study, by Evans Olonyi Sikinyi, Seed Trade Association of Kenya, STAK, 
AFSTA 2010  
[8] Rwanda Seed Sector Baseline Study, AFSTA 2010  
[9] Uganda Seed Sector Baseline Study, Ruth N. Ssebuliba, Uganda Seed Trade Association (USTA). 
AFSTA 2010  
[10] Burundi Seed Sector Baseline Study, Mr. Juvent Baramburiye, AFSTA 2010  
[11] Principles of Seed Science and Technology. L.O.Copeland & M.B. McDonald. Second Edition 1985.  
[12] CABI, Crop Protection Compendium, 2013.  
[13] OECD Document TAD/CA/S/RD/2008/12/REV2, April 2009  
[14] UPOV Convention Act 1991  
[15] IOWA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOC IATION (ICIA), Certification Standards 2009.  
[16] Corn Inspector Training Manual, ICIA Ames Iowa 2009  
[17] Association of Official Seed Analysts ( AOSA) Cultivar Purity Testing Handbook . 
[18] The seeds and plant regulations for Uganda 2011”  
[19] ISTA Handbo ok on Seedling Evaluation  
[20] OECD Seed Schemes; Rules and Regulations 2013  
 DEAS 821: 2023    
 
© EAC  2024  – All rights reserved