DEAS  1038 : 2020 
ICS nn.nnn.nn  
 
© EAC 2020                                                                                                                               1st Edition 2020   
 EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Cotton seed  — Requirements  for certification  
 DEAS  1038  : 2020  
ii © EAC  2020  – All rights reserved  
 Copyright notice  
This EAC document is copyright -protected by EAC. While the reproduction of this document by 
participants in the EAC standards development process is permitted without pr ior permission from EAC, 
neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form for 
any other purpose without prior written permission from EAC.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the purpose of selling it should be addressed 
as shown below or to EAC’s member body in the country of the requester:  
© East African Community 2020  — All rights reserved  
East African Community   
P.O. Box 1096 , 
Arusha  
Tanzania  
Tel: + 255 27 2 162100  
Fax: + 255 27 2162190  
E-mail: eac@eachq.org  
       Web: www.eac -quality.net  
Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted . DEAS 1038 : 2020  
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Abbreviated terms  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 1 
5 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
5.1 General (re-align with the previous standards)  ................................ ......Error! Bookmark not defined.  
5.2 Eligible varieties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 2 
5.3 Application for certification  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
6 Seed classes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  2 
7 Field requirements (realign)  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  3 
8 Field inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 4 
9 Seed sampling and laboratory requirements  ................................ ................................ .....................  5 
10 Certificates  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  5 
11 Packagi ng and labelling ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
12 Post -control tests  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
Annex  A (normative)  Field inspection report  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 8 
Annex  B (informative)  Seed laboratory test report  ................................ ................................ ......................  10 
Annex C  (Normative)  Seed test certificate  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 11 
Bibliogra phy ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  12 
 DEAS  1038  : 2020  
iv © EAC  2020  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Development of the East African Standards has 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 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 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 finalization of standards, in 
accordance with the Principles and procedures for development of East African Standards. XXXXXX.  
East African Standards are subject to r eview, 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 Technica l Committee EASC /TC 012, Seed and propagation 
materials .  
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.  
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 1038 : 2020  
 
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  1 
 Cotton seeds  — Requirements for certification  
1 Scope   
This Draft East Africa Standard specifies the certification requirements for pre -basic, basic and certified seed 
of cultivated cotton ( Gossypium spp .) seed. It includes requirements for eligible varie ties, field 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 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  (ISTA ) Rules  for seed testing  
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  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purp oses of this standard, the terms and definitions given in ISTA, UPOV , OECD and the following 
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  
cotton ginning  
process of separating the cotton fibr es from the cotton seeds.  
3.2  
fuzzy seed  
the cotton seed remain covered with linters after ginning (sometimes called whole cotton seed)  
3.3  
delented seed  
seed of cotton where all the fuzzy is removed (the cotton seed will not be covered with linters)  
4 Abbreviated terms  
— DUS: Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability  
— CMS hybrids -Cytoplasmic male sterility   
2 © EAC  2020  – All rights reserved  
 — 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  
c) certified seed:  
6 Requirements  
6.1 Eligible varieties  
6.1.1  Varieties eligible 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 coun try 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 informati on 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 t he past two cropping seasons;  
e) class of seed to be produced;  
f) registration number of the seed grower ; and  
g) proof of origin of the seed planted.  
6.2.2 Information and records related to the previous cropping history, origin of seed planted, and field  
inspectio ns 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 inspector s, 
based on all necessary information on the application form, to ensure that the timing of inspections allows the 
standards in Table 1 to be properly assessed.   
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  3 
 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 diseases.  
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 cropping 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 inspecto r 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 to 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 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 cotton shall be approved for certification if it complies with the  
requir ements in Table 1.   
Table 1— Field requirements for seed crops of cotton seed  
 
S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i Previous cropping season  2 2 2 
ii Isolation, m, min .    
 
 
 
 a) Cotton - CMS hybrids  800 800 800 
b) Gossypium barbadense - 
Non hybrid and non CMS 
hybrids  200 200 150 
c) Gossypium hirsutum - Non 
hybrid and non CMS 
hybrids  100 100 30 
d) Gossypium barbadense  x 
Gossypium hirsutum  200 200 150 
iii Objectionable weeds , max,  per KG  
(maximum)   0 0 1 
iv Prohibited weeds (maximum)   0 0 0 
v Prohibited disease (Fusarium wilt)  0 0 0 
vi Other spp including other varieties 
(maximum)  0 0 0  
4 © EAC  2020  – All rights reserved  
 viii Other varieties  0 1:35,000  0 
ix Off-types , per 100  plants (OPV) 1 1 2 
x Off-type ( hybrid)  2 (1 female and 1 
male)  2 (1 female and 1 
male)  4 (2 fema le and 2 
male)  
xi African ball  warm     
 
 
Table 2 — Field requirements for pests an d disease for seeds cotton  
S/N Variable  Breeders, Pre -basic seed 
and basic  Certified seed C1and C2  
i Bacterial  blight ,%, max. 0 0 
ii Fulsarium wilt,% , max. 0 0 
iii Leaf curl, %, max. 0 1 
iv Cotton strainers, % , max. 2 5 
v Cotton aphids, % , max. 2 5 
vi Cotton jussid, % , max. 2 5 
i African bollworm,% , max. 2 5 
 
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 Field inspection  
9.1 The national seed certification authority shall prepare t he inspections’ schedule for the inspectors,  
based on all necessary information on the application form, to ensure that the timing of inspections allows the  
requirements in Table 1  and Table 2 . 
9.2 The inspector shall inspect the field in accordance with O ECD seed schemes and shall check for  
isolation requirements, off types, the presence of noxious weeds and pests and diseases.  
9.3 A minimum of three inspections shall be done for each seed production field to check if the field  
requirements specified in Ta ble 1 . 
9.4 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 using the labels.  
9.5 Depending on the d egree of contamination, the inspector 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 harvesti ng. 
9.6 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 enterpri se 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.   
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  5 
 19 Seed sampling and laboratory requirements  
19.1 The harvested seed from the field app roved for certification shall be kept 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.  
19.2 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.  
19.3 A seed sampler shall draw a representative submitted sample from each lot according to  the ISTA 
rules .  
19.4 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.  
19.5 Laboratories authorized by the national seed certification authority to conduct seed testin g for  
certification shall follow the methodology established in the ISTA rules for cotton seed.  
19.6 The seed lots shall comply with the laboratory r equirements specified in Table 2 .  
Table 3 — Laboratory requirements for seed crops of cotton   
S/N Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i Pure seed (minimum)  99 99 99 
ii Inert matter (maximum  1.0 1.0 1.0 
iii Objectionable weeds (maximum)  1 0 0 non 
vii Germination (maximum)  80 80 80 
vI Prohibited weeds (maximum)   0 0 0 
v Other kinds including other varieties 
(maximum)  0 0 0 
v Moisture content, % max.  10 10 10 
i Bacterial b light,% max  0 0 0 
ii Fulsarium wilt,% max  0 0 0 
iii Leaf curl,% , max 0 0 1 
vi Weed seeds, per kg, max.  5 5 10 
 
19.7 The laboratory test report shall be issued in accor dance with Annex B.  
11 Certificates  
11.1 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 C . This certificate shall be valid for a period o f 
six (6) months.  
11.2 Carryover seed shall be re -sampled and retested for germination. If the test result complies with the 
minimum requirements, a new test certificate shall be issued for the seed lot, which cancels the previously 
issued   
6 © EAC  2020  – All rights reserved  
 11.3 Issuing of  certificates shall be in accordance to ISTA rules . 
12 Packaging and labelling  
12.1 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 la bel of the national seed certification 
authority.  
12.2 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.  
12.3 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 following information shall be included on 
the official labels:  
12.4 The labels shall be  prominent and fixed to the containers by an authorized person in such a way that 
they cannot be 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 cro p, ―Cotton 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 addres s of certifying authority;  
iii. seed class;  
iv. date of test and country of production; and  statement of re -packing and re -labelling (if applicable).  
12.5 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 1 seed : Blue ; 
d) Certified 2nd Seed : Red ; and   
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  7 
 e) Quality declared seed; green . 
12.6 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 violatio n can be detected.  
12.7 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 another country, but shall ret ain 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 p rior 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.  
13 Post -control tests  
The Post control tests shall be carried out in accordance with OECD Sche mes for Varietal Certification or the 
Control of Seed Moving in the International Trade .  
8 © EAC  2020  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Field inspection report  
Reference number..................  
Date of the report....................  
 
Seed grower information  
Name ……………………………………. Ad dress ……………………………………… . 
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  
Decision on the approval  Justification  
The seed crop is approved for 
certification   
The seed crop is not 
approved for certification   
  
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  9 
 Seed grower …………… Inspector …………… ……….. National seed certification authority  
Date &signature ……….. Date & signature ……………. Date & signature   
10 © EAC  2020  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  B 
(informative)  
 
Seed laboratory test report  
Name of seed grower  
Species, variety, class, weigh t 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 number  
     
ANALYSIS RESULTS  
Purity  Germination  Moisture  
content,  
% Pure  
seed , 
% Inert 
matter,  
% Other  
crop 
seeds , 
% Weed  
seeds,  
per kg  Number  
of days  Normal  
seedling s, 
% Hard  
seeds,  
% Fresh  
seeds , 
% Abnormal  
seedlings,  
% Dead  
seeds,  
% 
           
Kind of inert matter:  
Other crop s eeds:  
Weed seed:  
Other determinations  
Place Date  Signature  
  
© EAC 2020  – All rights reserved  11 
 Annex C  
(Normative)  
 
Seed test certificate  
This certificate is issued for a seed lot which has satisfied all the requirements of the certification 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 laboratory:  Test number:  
ANALYSIS RESULTS  
Purity  Germi nation  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 dete rminations  Statement of packaging and re -labelling: (if  
applicable)  
 
 
National Seed Certification Authority  
Signature ………………………………………………………………… ……..  
Place and  date ………………………………………………………………….  
  
12 © EAC  2020  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
 
 DEAS 1038: 2020    
 
© EAC 2020 – All rights reserved