ICS 67.060  
 
Reference number
DRS 275 -2: 2020
© RSB 2020
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS
275-2
Second edition
2020 -mm-dd
(Reaffirmed yyyy-mm-dd)
Seeds  — Requirements for certification — 
Part 2: Rice 
   
DRS 275 -2: 2020  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  ii 
 In order to match with technological development and to keep continuous progress in industries, 
standards are subject to periodic review. Users shall ascertain that they are in possession of the latest 
edition  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© RSB 2020  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized 
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without  
prior written permission from R SB. 
Requests for permission to reprodu ce this document should be addressed to : 
Rwanda Standards  Board  
P.O Box 7099 Kigali -Rwanda  
KK 15 Rd, 49  
Tel. +250 788303492  
Toll Free: 3250  
E-mail: info@rsb.gov.rw  
Website: www.rsb.go v.rw 
ePortal: www.portal.rsb.gov.rw   DRS 275 -2: 2020  
iii                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 1 
4 Abbreviated terms  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 1 
5 General requirements ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 1 
5.1 General ................................ ................................ ................................ ... Error! Bookmark not defined.  
5.2 Eligible varieties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... 2 
5.3 Inspection a nd laboratory testing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....2 
6 Seed classes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....1 
7 Field requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... 3 
8 Field inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ 2 
9 Seed sampling and laboratory requirements  ................................ ................................ .................. 4 
10 Certificates ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 5 
11 Packaging and labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 5 
12 Post -cont rol tests  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 6 
Annex  A (normative)  Field inspection report  ................................ ................................ .............................. 7 
Annex  B (normative)  Seed laboratory test report  ................................ ................................ ....................... 9 
Annex  C (normative)  Seed test certificate  ................................ ................................ ................................  10 
 DRS 275 -2: 2020  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  iv 
 Foreword   
Rwanda Standard s are prepared  by Technical Committees and approved by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) 
Board  of Directors in  accordance with the procedures of RSB, in compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT 
agreement on the preparation, adoption and application of standards.  
The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards.  Final Draft Rwanda S tandards 
adopted by Technical committ ees are ratified  by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and 
gazettment as Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 275 -2 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 032, Seeds and planting materials . 
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (RS  275-2:2015), which has been technically 
revised.  
DRS 275 consists of the following parts, under the general title Seeds — Requirements for certificatio n 
 Part 1: Common bean  
 Part 2: Rice  
 Part 3: Wheat  
 Part 4: Peas  
 Part 5: Sweet potatoes  
 Part 6: Vegetable seeds  
Part 7: Cassava seeds  
Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Seeds and planting materials  
(RSB/TC 032) in the preparation of this standard.  
Paragraph of p articipants  
Rwanda  Standards Board  (RSB) – Secretariat  
 DRS 275 -2: 2020  
1                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Seeds  — Requirements for  certification — Part 2: Rice  
1 Scope   
This Draft Rwanda Standard specifies the certification requirements for the production of pre -basic, basic 
certified and quality declared seed of rice ( Oryza sativa  L.). It includes requirements for eligible varieties, f ield 
requirements, field inspections, seed sampling, laboratory requirements, certificates, packaging and  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  their c ontent 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 ISTA Ru les 
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 the International Trade  
UPOV TG/16/8, Guidelines for conducting DUS tests for Rice (Oryza  sativa L.)  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this standard, terms and definitions given in ISTA, UPOV and OECD and RS 275  -1 
apply.  
4 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 Protection of New Varieties of Plants  
5 Seed classes  
For the purpose of this standard, the following classes of seed shall apply:  
a) pre-basic seed;  
b) basic seed; and   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  2 
 c) certified seed:  
1) 1st generation (C1); and  
2) 2nd generation (C2).  
NOTE 1: 2nd generation (C2) will not exist for hybrids  
6 General requirements  
6.1 Eligible varieties  
6.1.1 Varieties eligible for seed certification shall be those that have been examined, tested and registered  
in the national list of varieties/variety catalogue.  
6.1.2 The national seed certification authority shall keep the official descriptor of the varieties in har d and  
electronic copies.  
6.2 Application requirements for certification  
6.2.1 The minimum information for an application for certification of a seed crop shall include the following:  
d) name, address and contact details of the seed grower;  
e) crop and variety to be sown;  
f) physical location;  
g) area and reference number of the field, and its cropping hist ory for the past two cropping seasons;  
h) class of seed to be produced; and  
i) registration number of the seed grower.  
6.2.2 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.  
7 Field inspection  
7.1 The national seed certification authority shall prepare the inspections’ schedule for the inspectors , 
based on all necessary i nformation on the application form, to ensure that the timing of inspections allows the  
requirements in Table 1and Table 2 to be properly assessed.  
7.2 The inspector shall inspect the field in accordance with OECD seed schemes and shall check for  
isolation  requirements, off types , the presence of noxious weeds, pests and diseases.  DRS 275 -2: 2020  
3                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 7.3 A minimum of three inspections shall be done for each seed production field to check if the field  
requirements specified in Table 1 and table 2 are met.  
7.4 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/authentication of the variety planted by u sing the labels.  
7.5 Depending on the degree of contamination, the i nspector may give instructions for off -types and  
diseased plants to be rogued so as to maintain the genetic purity. In case of noxious weeds found in  the field,  
the grower shall be instructed to remove the weeds before harvesting.  
7.6 The field inspection report shall indicate the field status and comments for any corrective actions  
required such as re -inspection to confirm the field requirements. 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 shall be signed by both the inspector and the grower or the grower’s representative.  
8 Field requirements  
8.1 Pre basic seed shall be produced under the responsibility of the breeder or maintainer  
8.2 Certified seed shall be produced in two generations except in hybrids.  
8.3 The national certification authority shall inspect and certify the production of pre -basic, basic and  
certified seed crops  
8.4 A field producing a seed crop of rice shall be approve d for certification if it complies with the  
requirements in Table 1 and Table 2.  
Table 1 — Field requirements for seed crops of rice (varieties)  
S/N  Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i. Isolation, m, min  5  5 5 
ii. Off types %, max  0.01 1 2 
iii. Rice Blast, %, max  0.1 0.1 0.5 
iv. Bacterial Leaf Blight , %, max  1 2  2 
Table 2 — Field requirements for seed crops of rice (hybrids)  
S/N  Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i. Land requirements (seasons before), 
min  1 1 1 
ii. Isolation, m, min  25  25 25 
iii. Off types %, max  0.01 0.01 0.1 
iv. Rice Blast %, max  0.1 0.1 0.5 
v. Bacterial Leaf Blight, % max  1 2 2  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  4 
 8.5 Fields may be rejected for certification because of unsatisfactory condition caused by noxious weeds , 
poor growth, poor stands, excessive disease presence, insect damage, and any other condition that prevents  
accurate inspection or creates doubt as to the identity of the variety.  
9 Seed sampling and laboratory requirements  
9.1 The harvested seed from the field approved for certification shall be kept as an identified unit until  
processing. After processing, a sample shall be submitted to laboratory for testing where a conforme d sample  
shall be given a certificate with a unique lot number for the purpose of tracking and s ampling.  
9.2 The maximum size of a seed lot for certification purposes is 30 000 kg; lots larger than this shall be 
divided and a given separate lot numbers.  
9.3 An inspector shall draw a representative submitted sample from each lot according to the ISTA rules 
(Chapter 2).  
9.4 The submitted 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 tests. The 
samples shall be marked  with the same identification as the seed lot, 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 
certification shall follow the methodology established in the ISTA rules for rice seed.  
9.6 The seed lots shall comply with the laboratory requirements specified in Table 3 and Table 4.  
Table 3 — Laboratory requirements for seeds lots of rice (varieti es) 
S/N  Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i. Pure seed, %, min.  98 98 98 
ii. Inert matter, %, max.  0.95 0.95 0.95 
iii. Other crop seeds, %, max.  0.05 0.02 0.05 
iv. Germination, %, min.  80 80 75 
v. Moisture content, % max.  14 14 14 
vi. Weed seeds, per kg, max.  0 0 0 
Table 4 — Laboratory requirements for seeds lots of rice (hybrids)  
S/N  Variable  Pre basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i. Pure seed, %, min.  99 99 98 
ii. Inert matter, %, max.  0.95 0.95 0.95 
iii. Other crop seeds, %, max.  0.05 0.02 0.05 
iv. Germination, %, min.  80 80 75 
v. Moisture content, % max.  14 14 14 
vi. Weed seeds, per kg, max.  0 0 0 
9.7 The laboratory test report shall be issued in accordance with Annex B.  DRS 275 -2: 2020  
5                ©RSB 2020  - 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 information presented in Annex D. This certificate shall be valid fo r a period of  
six (6) months.  
10.2 Carryover seed shall be re -sampled and retested for germina tion. If the test result complies with the  
minimum requirements, a new test certificate shall be issued for the seed lot, which cancels the pre viously  
issued certificate and shall include the certificate number of the cancelled certificate  
11 Packaging and labeling  
11.1 All classes of seed that have been certified shall be packaged in new containers which shall be mark ed 
with the company name and crop species and shall have the official label of the national seed certif ication  
authority.  
11.2 The labels for each class are identified by the following colours:  
1) pre-basic seed : Violet band on white  
2) basic seed : White  
3) certified seed 1 st generation : Blue  
4) certified seed 2 nd generation : Red  
11.3 If seeds are treated with any chemical or product harmful for human or animal consumption, 
thecontainer shall carry a label stating the chemical or product used and warning of the health risk s. 
11.4 The labels shall be prominent, indelible, legible and fixed to the containers by an authorized perso n in 
such a way that they ca nnot be destroyed or easily removed. The following information shall be included on 
the official labels:  
a) front of label:  
1) name of the crop, “Rice seed”;  
2) species (Latin name);  
3) variety denomination;  
4) seed lot number;  
5) test certificate number;  
6) date of test;   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  6 
 7) net weight; and  
8) seed treatment declaration (if applicable);  
b) back of label:  
1) logo of the national certification authority;  
2) name and address of certifying authority;  
3) seed class;  
4) year and country of production; and  
5) statement of re -packing and re -labelling (if appl icable).  
11.4 All containers/bags shall be closed either by hand or machine stitching and shall be sealed in such a 
way that if they are opened illegally, that violation can be detected.  
11.5 Repackaging and relabeling 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 another 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 requirements for certification prior to blending. A n ew 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 out in accordance with OECD Schemes for Varietal Certificati on or the 
Control of Seed Moving in the International Trade.  
 
 DRS 275 -2: 2020  
7                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Field inspection report  
Reference number..................  
Date of the report....................  
Seed grower information  
Name ……………………………………. Address..………………………………………  
Telephone: ……………………………… E -mail.............…………………………………  
Registration number……………………. Number of inspection....................................  
Field location  
Province/Region............................................ District ............................... Sector  
Latitude..................................................... .... Longitude ……………….. Field number  
Field size (Ha/acre) ………………………..... Cropping season ………. Crop species  
Seed class ………………………….……… Variety ………………… Previous cropping  
Variable  Observations/results  Comments/remarks  
Isolation, m    
Off types    
Noxious weeds    
Deliberative disease     
    
    
    
    
Other crops    
General conditions of the crop (for  
example, drought, crop husbandry, 
etc.)   
Decision   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  8 
 Decision on the approval  Justification  
The seed crop is approved for certification   
The seed crop is approved for certification   
Seed grower       Inspector signature     National seed certification authority  
Date &signature     Date & signature      Date & signature  
  DRS 275 -2: 2020  
9                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  B 
(normative)  
 
Seed laboratory test report  
Name of seed grower:  
Species, variety, class, weight of lot:  
Testing and Issuing laboratory:  
Sampled by:  
Test number:  
Country of origin:  
Label serial number:  
Seed Lot Reference Number:  
Number of containers  Date of sampling  
 Date sample received  Date test(s)concluded  Test 
numbe
r 
     
ANALYSIS RESULTS  
Purity  Germination  Moisture  
content,
% Pur
e 
see
d % Inert 
matter
, % Othe
r 
crop 
seed
s % Weed 
seeds
, per 
kg Numbe
r of 
days  Normal 
seedlings,
% Hard 
seeds
, % Fresh 
seeds,
% Abnormal 
seedlings,
% Dead 
seeds,
% 
           
Kind of inert matter:  
Other crop seeds:  
Weed seed:  
Other determinations:  
Place  Date  Signatur
e 
 
 
 
 
  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  10 
 Annex  C 
(normative)  
 
Seed test certificat e 
This certificate is issued for a seed lot which has satisfied all the requirements of the certificat ion scheme.  
Previously issued certificate 
number..............  Certificate No. ………….  Requirements: .................  
SEED GROWER INFORMATION  
Name:  Address:  Country of 
origin:  
SEED LOT INFORMATION  
Seed Lot 
Reference   Number  Species and  
variety  Class  Weight of lot  
 Number of containers  
 
     
SAMPLING AND TESTING INFORMATION  
Date of sampling  Sampled by  Date sample received  Date test(s) concluded  
    
Name of testing laboratory:  Test number:  
ANALYSIS RESULTS  
Purity  Germination  Moisture 
content%  Pure 
seed  % Inert  
matter  
% Other  
crop  
seeds 
% Weed  
seeds  
Per kg  Normal  
seedlings  Abnormal  
seedlings  Fresh  
seeds  Hard  
seeds  Dead  
seeds  
          
Kind of inert matter:  
Kind of other crop seeds:  
Kind of weed seeds:  
Other determinations:  Statement of packaging and re -labelling: (if  
applicable)  
- 
 
National Seed Certification Authority  
Signature ………………………………………………………………….  
Place and Date ………………………………………………………………….  
 DRS 275 -2: 2020  
11                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
[1] RS 275 -2: 2015, Seeds — Requirements for certification — Part 2: Rice, F irst edition  
 DRS 275 -2: 2020  
 
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