DEAS 1034 : 2020 
ICS nn.nnn.nn  
 
© EAC 2020                                                                                                                               First Edition 2020   
 EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Wheat seeds — Requirements for certification  
 DEAS 1034 : 2020  
ii © EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  
 Copyright notice  
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© East African Community  2020  — All rights reserved  
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Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted . DEAS 1034 : 2020  
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
Abbreviated terms  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  4 
5 Seed classes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  5 
6 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  5 
6.1 Eligible varieties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 5 
6.2 Application for certification  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  5 
7 Field inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 5 
8 Field requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  6 
9 Seed sampling and laboratory standards  ................................ ................................ ...........................  7 
10 Certificates  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  7 
11 Packaging and labelling ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  8 
12 Post -control tests  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 9 
Annex  A (normative)  Field inspection report  ................................ ................................ ...............................  10 
Annex  B (informative)  Seed laboratory test report  ................................ ................................ ......................  12 
Annex C (Normative)  Seed test certificate  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 13 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  14 
 DEAS 1034 : 2020  
iv © EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmo nizing 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 re moved.  
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 Bodies 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 secto r 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 finalization of standards, in 
accordance wi th the Principles and procedures for development of East African Standards. XXXXXX.  
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 alway s have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
The committee responsible  for this document is Technical Committee EASC /TC 012, Seed and propagation 
materials . 
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this docu ment may be subject of patent 
rights. EAC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 1034 : 2020  
 
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  1 
 Wheat seeds — Requirements for certification  
1 Scope   
This Draft East African Standard specifies the certification requirements for pre -basic, basic and certified 1 and 
2 seed of wheat ( Triticum aestivum  L.). It includes requirements for eligible varieties, field standards, field 
inspections, seed sampling, laboratory standards, 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 content constitutes 
requirements of this document.  For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, 
the lates t edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
OECD, Seed Schemes; Guidelines for Control Plot Tests and Field Inspection of Seed Crops  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definition s apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
3.1  
seed test certificate  
legal docume nt issued by the national seed certification authority, which states that a seed lot has met the 
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 common knowledge at the time of filing the application for registration  
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 i nspection  
inspection of a field and or seed crop, by an inspector to check if the minimum requirements for seed  
certification have been satisfied   
2 © EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  
 3.5  
field number  
number assigned to the field by the national seed certification authority, when the applicat ion form for 
certification is submitted  
3.6  
germination  
emergence and development of a seedling 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 condi tions in the field  
3.7  
seed grower  
person or entity registered  to grow a crop intended  to produce seed  
3.8 
seed dealer /merchanta  
person trading in seed and who is licensed to do so   
 
3.9 
inert matter  
seed units and all other matter and structures not def ined as pure seed or other seeds  
3.10 
isolation  
minimum distance or time between two crops of wheat that is required to prevent contamination either 
mechanically or by cross pollination  
3.11 
inspector  
authorized official or accredited entity responsible fo r carrying out seed certification activities  
3.12  
international seed testing association (ISTA) rules  
rules for seed testing published by the International Seed Testing Association  
3.13  
label  
tag or other device that is attached to or written, stamped, o r 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 by 
relevant regulation  
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 entered in the certification scheme in the same field  
3.15  
maintainer  
person or organisation responsible for the production or maintenance of a bred variety included in a na tional 
list of varieties/variety catalogue eligible for certification, and ensure that the variety remains true to type 
throughout its full life -span and in the case of hybrid varieties, that the formula for hybridisation is followed  
3.16  
national seed ce rtification authority  
national authority responsible for conducting seed certification processes   
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  3 
 3.17  
noxious weed  
weed species, the seed of which is difficult to separate during processing or has undesirable effects on the 
crop produced, for example by p ossible genetic contamination  
3.18  
off-type 
plant of the same species which does not exhibit the recognised and accepted habit and characteristics of the 
variety being grown  
3.19  
other seeds  
seeds of any plant species other than that of the crop sample t hat is being tested. They consist of weed seeds 
and other crop seeds  
3.20  
parental material  
population or lines used by a breeder to maintain a variety  
3.21 
person  
natural person or legal entity  
3.22  
post -control plot  
small plot where a representative sa mple of a seed lot is grown to determine the identity and purity of the 
variety and to check if the seed certification system is operating satisfactorily  
3.23  
pure seed  
species stated by an applicant, or found to predominate in a test, and includes all bo tanical varieties and 
cultivars of that species, including intact seeds and pieces of seed units larger than one -half their original size  
3.24  
/variety registration  
recording of a new variety in a national variety catalogue /national variety list  when it h as been tested and 
satisfied the requirements for distinctness, uniformity, stability, and has value for cultivation and use  
3.25 
rogueing  
removal of off -types and diseased plants or any other unwanted plant from a seed crop if they may reduce the 
quality of the harvested crop  
3.26  
seed certification  
process by which the quality and identity of a seed lot is assured  
3.267 
seed lot  
defined quantity of seed bearing the same reference number and for which the  origin, production history and 
identity is known  
3.28  
stability  
condition of a variety distinguishing characteristics to remain unchanged after repeated growing cycles   
4 © EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  
 3.29  
uniformity  
relevant characteristics subject to the variations that may be expected from the particular features of its 
propagation  
3.30  
variety  
assemblage of cultivated plants that is clearly distinguished from other varieties by any characters 
(morphological, physiological, cytological, chemical, or others) and which retains its distinguishing 
characteristics when reproduced by the normal means for the crop and variety  
3.31 
variety catalogue/national variety list  
list of varieties that have been registered by a national authority and can be produced and marketed as  
certified seed  
3.32  
carryover seed  
seed produced in previous season  and stored for one or more cropping seasons  
3.33  
pre-basic seed  
seed that is derived from breeder seed and is used to produce basic seed through one cycle of multiplication  
3.34  
breeder seed  
nucleus seed from the breeder and is used to produce pre -basic  seed  
3.35  
seed  
planting materials used for generative propagation of plants  
3.36  
basic seed  
seed that has been produced from breeder or pre -basic seed and is used for the production of certified seed  
3.37 
certified seed  
seed that is produced from basic seed through one or two generations of multiplication  
3.37.1  
certified seed 1st generation  
first generation of seed derived from basic seed  
3.37.2  
certified seed 2nd generation  
seed derived from 1st generation certified seed   
3.38  
seed class  
system th at shows the generations involved during seed multiplication  
Abbreviated terms  
— DUS: Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability  
— ISTA: International Seed Testing Association   
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  5 
 — OECD: Organization for Economic Co -operation and Development  
— VCU: Value for Cultivat ion and Use  
5 Seed classes  
For the purpose of this standard, the following 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).  
6 Requirements  
6.1 Eligible varieties  
6.1.1 Varieties elig ible for seed certification shall be those that have been examined, tested and registered 
in at list one member country of the EAC and are included in the national list of varieties/national variety 
catalogue. The country adopting the variety shall test it  for at least one season  
6.1.2 The national seed certification authority shall keep the official descriptor of the varieties in hard and 
electronic copies.  
6.2 Application for certification  
6.2.1 The minimum information for an application for certification  of a seed crop shall include the following:  
a) name, address and contact details of the seed grower;  
b) crop and variety to be sown;  
c) physical location;  
d) area and reference number of the field, and its cropping history for the past two cropping seasons;  
e) class of seed to be produced; and  
f) 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 q uality, 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 information on the application form, to ensure th at the timing of inspections allows the 
standards in Table 1 to be properly assessed.   
6 © EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  
 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 and di seases.  
7.3 A minimum of two (2) inspections shall be done for each seed production field to check if the field 
standards specified in Table 1 are met.  
7.4 At the time of the first inspection, the inspector shall confirm with the grower the previous croppi ng of 
the field, checking on isolation, and the proof of origin/authentication of the variety planted by usi ng the labels.  
7.5 Depending on the degree of contamination, the inspector may give instructions for off -types and 
diseased plants to be rogued. In case of noxio us weeds found in the field, the grower shall be instructed to 
remove the weeds before final inspection  in the field . 
7.6 The field inspection report shall indicate the field status and comments for any corrective actions 
required such as re -inspection t o confirm the field standards. All field inspection reports shall be provided to 
the grower 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 rep resentative.  
8 Field requirements  
8.1 Pre basic and basic seed shall be produced under the responsibility of the breeder or maintainer . 
8.2 Certified seed shall be produced for up to a maximum of 2 generations . 
8.3 For hybrid seed, certified seeds shall be  produced from one generation .  
8.4 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 wheat shall be approved for certification if it complies wi th the 
requirements in Table 1.  
Table 1 — Field standards for seed crops of wheat  
S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified 1st 
generation seed (c1)  Certified 2nd 
generation(c2)  
i Previous cropping  season 
requirements  1 1 1 1 
ii Isolation distanc e, m, min .  10 10 4 4 
iii Maximum off-types per 100 
m2 1 1 3 3 
iv Kernel burnt (Tilletia  
barclayana ) per 100 m2, 
max. 0 0 0 0 
v Loose smut (Ustilago nuda ) 
head per  
100 m2, max . 1 1 1 1 
 
8.5 Fields may be rejected for certification because of unsatisfac tory condition caused by noxious weeds, 
poor growth, poor stands, excessive disease presence, insect damage, and any other condition that prev ents 
accurate inspection or creates doubt as to the identity of the variety.   
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  7 
 9 Seed sampling and laboratory standa rds 
9.1 The harvested seed from the field approved for certification shall be k ept as an identified unit until 
processing. After processing, a sample shall be submitted to laboratory for testing where a conformed sample  
shall be given a certificate with a unique lot number for the purpose of tracking and sampling.  
9.2 The maximum size of a seed lot for certification purposes is 30 000 kg;  lots larger than this shall be 
divided and given separate lot numbers.  
9.3 A seed sampler shall draw a representative sa mple from each lo t according to the ISTA rules.  
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 auth ority to conduct seed testing for 
certification shall follow the methodology established in the ISTA rules for wheat seed.  
9.6 The seed lots shall comply with the laboratory standards specified in Table 2.  
9.7 A seed lot that conforms to the standards set out in Table 2 shall be given a seed test certificate and a 
unique reference number to confirm its status under the certification scheme. O ne part of the seed sample 
shall be retained for sowing in a post -control plot in the next season, or earlier if that  can be.  
Table 2 — Laboratory standards for seeds lots of wheat  
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. Germinati on, %, min.  85 85 85 
v. Moisture content, % max . 13 13 13 
vi. Weed seeds, per kg, max.  0 0 0 
NOTE Moisture content is expressed as a percentage of the fresh weight of the original sample  
 
9.8 The laboratory test report shall be issued in accordance w ith Annex B. 
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 for a period of 
six m onths.  
10.2 Carryover seed shall be re -sampled and retested for germination. If the test result complies with the 
minimum standards, a new test certificate shall be issued for the seed lot, which cancels the previously issued 
certificate, and shall include  the certificate number of the cancelled certificate.  
10.3 Issuing of certificates shall be in accordance to ISTA rules .  
8 © EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  
 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 and 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) Certifie d 1 Seed : Blue ; and  
d) Certified 2nd seed: 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 warning of the health risks.  
11.4 The la bels shall be prominent  and fixed to the containers by an authorized person in such a way that 
they cannot b e destroyed or easily removed. The labelling shall be indelible, and legibly marked on the 
containers with the following information : 
a) front label:  
i. name of the crop, ―Wheat seed‖;  
ii. species ( scientific name);  
iii. variety denomination;  
iv. seed lot number;  
v. test certificate number;  
vi. date of test;  
vii. net weight; and  
viii. seed treatment declaration (if applicable ). 
b) back label:  
i. logo of the national certification authority;  
ii. name and address of certifying authority;  
iii. seed class;  
iv. date of test  and country of production; and  
v. statement of re -packing and re -labelling (if applicable).  
11.5 All containers/bags shall be closed either by hand or machine stitching and shall be sealed in su ch a 
way that if they are opened illegally, that violation can be detected.  
11.6 Repackaging and relabelling  are authorized in the following cases:   
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  9 
 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 
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 contro l tests shall be carried out in accordance with OECD schemes for varietal certification or the  
control of seed moving in the international trade .  
10 © EAC 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.)    
  
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  11 
 Decision  
Decision on the approval  Justification  
The seed crop is approved for 
certification   
The seed crop is not approved 
for certification   
 
Seed grower …………………. Inspector ……………………… National seed certification authority  
Date &signature …………… ..Date & signature ………………. Date & signature   
12 © EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  B 
(informative)  
 
Seed laboratory test repor t 
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 tes t(s) concluded  Test number  
     
ANALYSIS RESULTS  
Purity  Germination  Moisture  
content,  
% Pure 
seed , 
% Inert 
matter,  
% Other  
crop 
seeds  % Weed , 
seeds,  
per kg  Number  
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  Signature  
 
  
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  13 
 Annex C  
(Normative)  
 
Seed test certificate  
This certificate is issued for a seed lot which has satisfied all the requirements of the ce rtification scheme  
Previously issued certificate number..............  Certificate No. ………….  Standard: .................  
APPLICANT INFORMATION  
Seed lot reference  number  Species and  variety  Class  Weight of lot  Number of  
containers  
     
Name of testing l aboratory:  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 ………………………………………………………… ...  
14 © EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliograph y 
RS 275 -3: 2016, Seeds — Requirements for certification — Part 3:  Wheat  
 WD/TC/018/003 : 2020    
 
© EAC 2020 – All rights reserved