ICS 67.060  
 
Reference number
DRS 275 -3: 2020
© RSB 2020
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS
275-3
Second edition
2020 -mm-dd
(Reaffirmed yyyy-mm-dd)
Seeds  — Requirements for certification — 
Part 3: Wheat  
   
DRS 275 -3: 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 -3: 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  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 6 
5 Seed classes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....6 
6 Eligible varieties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... 7 
7 Application requirements for certification  ................................ ................................ ...................... 7 
8 Field inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ 7 
9 Field requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... 8 
10 Seed sampling and laboratory standards  ................................ ................................ ....................... 8 
11 Certificates ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 9 
12 Packaging and label ling ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 9 
13 Post -control tests  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  11 
Annex  A (normative)  Field inspection report  ................................ ................................ ............................  12 
Annex  B (normative)  Seed laboratory test report  ................................ ................................ .....................  14 
Annex  C (normative)  Seed test certificate  ................................ ................................ ................................  15 
 DRS 275 -3: 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 ratifie d by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and 
gazettment as Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 275 -3 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 032, Seeds and planting materials . 
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (RS  275-3:2016), 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) – Secretar iat 
 DRS 275 -3: 2020  
1                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Seeds  — Requirements for certification — Part 3: Wheat  
1 Scope   
This Draft Standard specifies the certification requirements for the production of pre -basic, basic and certified 
seed of wheat (triticum aestivum L. Amend). It includes requirements for eligible varieties, field s tandards, field 
inspections, seed sampling, laboratory standards, certificat es, 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  
OECD Seed Schemes; Guidelines for Control Plot Tests and Field Inspection of Seed Cr ops 
OECD Schemes for Varietal Certification or the Control of Seed Moving in the International Trade.  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in ISTA, and OECD and the following shall 
apply.  
3.1 
seed test c ertificate  
legal document 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 cha racter from any other variety 
whose existence is a matter of common knowledge at the time of filing the application for registrati on 
3.3 
field 
defined and identifiable area of land or facility that is used to produce a seed crop under the Seed  Certification 
Scheme   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  2 
 3.4 
field inspection  
inspection of a field and or seed crop, by an inspector to check if the minimum requirements for see d 
certification have been satisfied  
3.5 
field number  
number assigned to the field by the national seed certification authority, when the application form for 
certification is submitted  
3.6 
germination  
emergence and development of a seedling to a stage where the aspect of its essential structures indi cates  
whether or not it is able to develop further into a satisfactory plant under favourable conditions in the field  
3.7 
seed grower  
person or entity registered to produce seed  
3.8 
inert matter  
seed units and all other matter and structures not defined as pure seed or other seeds  
3.9 
isolation  
minimum distance o r time between two crops of wheat that is required to prevent contamination either 
mechanically or by cross pollination  
3.10 
inspector  
authorized official or accredited entity responsible for carrying out seed certification activities  
3.11 
international se ed testing association (ISTA) rules  
rules for seed testing published by the International Seed Testing Association  DRS 275 -3: 2020  
3                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 3.12 
label  
tag or other device that is attached to or 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 by 
relevant regulation  
3.13 
previous cropping  
minimum period (seasons or years) that must elapse between the production of a crop of the same spec ies in 
a field and the produ ction of a crop entered in the certification scheme in the same field  
3.14 
maintainer  
person or organisation responsible for the production or maintenance of a bred variety included in a  national  
list of varieties/variety catalogue eligible for certificati on, 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  
3.15 
national seed certification authority  
national authority responsible for conducting seed certification processes  
3.16 
noxious weed  
weed species, the seed of which is difficult to separate during processing or has undesirable effect s on the  
crop produced, for example by possible genetic contamination  
3.17 
off-type 
plant of the same species  which does not exhibit the recognised and accepted habit and characteristics of the  
variety being grown  
3.18 
other seeds  
seeds of any plant species other than that of the crop sample that is being tested. They consist of weed seeds  
and other crop seeds   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  4 
 3.19 
parental material  
population or lines used by a breeder to maintain a variety  
3.20 
person  
natural person or legal entity  
3.21 
post -control plot  
small plot where a representative sample 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  
3.22 
pure seed  
species stated by an applicant, or found to predominate in a test, and includes all botanical variet ies and  
cultivars of that species, including intact seeds a nd pieces of seed units larger than one -half their original size  
3.23 
variety registration  
recording of a new variety in a national variety catalogue when it has been tested and satisfied the  
requirements for distinctness, uniformity, stability, and has va lue for cultivation and use  
3.24 
rogu ing 
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  
3.25 
seed certification  
process by which the quality and identity of a seed lot is assured  
3.26 
seed lot  
defined quantity of seed bearing the same reference number and for which the origin, production hist ory and  
identity is known  DRS 275 -3: 2020  
5                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 3.27 
stability  
condition of a variety distinguishing characteristics to remain unchanged after repeated growing cycles  
3.28 
uniformity  
variety is deemed to be uniform if, subject to the variation that may be expected from the particula r features of  
its propagation, it is sufficiently uniform in its relevant characteristics  
3.29 
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 distinguishin g 
characteristics when reproduced by the normal means for the crop a nd variety  
3.30 
variety catalogue/national list varieties  
list of varieties that have been registered by a national authority and can be produced and marketed  as 
certified seed  
3.31 
carryover seed  
seed produced in previous season and stored for one or more  cropping seasons  
3.32 
pre-basic seed  
seed that is derived from breeder seed and is used to produce basic seed through one cycle of multip lication  
3.33 
breeder seed  
nucleus seed from the breeder and is used to produce pre -basic seed  
3.34 
seed  
planting mate rials used for generative propagation of plants   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  6 
 3.35 
basic seed  
seed that has been produced from breeder or pre -basic seed and is used for the production of certified seed  
3.36 
certified seed  
seed that is produced from basic seed through one or two generat ions of multiplication  
3.36.1  
certified seed 1st generation  
first generation of seed derived from basic seed  
3.36.2  
certified seed 2nd generation  
certified seed 2nd generation which is multiplied once and from certified seed 1st generation  
3.37 
Quality Dec lared Seeds (QDS)  
Seed produced from basic or certified seed, declared by the producer as being in conformity with tec hnical,  
identity and quality standards governing seed production and approved by the competent authority aft er 
verification of the quality.  
4 Abbreviated terms  
 DUS: Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability  
 ISTA: International Seed Testing Association  
 OECD: Organization for Economic Co -operation and Development  
5 Seed classes  
For the purpose of this standard, the following classes of seed sh all apply:  
a) Pre-basic seed;  
b) Basic seed; and  
c) Certified seed:  
1) 1st generation (C1); and  DRS 275 -3: 2020  
7                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 2) 2nd generation (C2).  
6 Eligible varieties  
6.1 Varieties eligible for seed certification shall be those registered in the national list of varietie s/variety  
catalogue.  
6.2 The national seed certification authority shall keep the official descriptor of the varieties in hard an d 
electronic copies.  
7 Application requirements for certification  
7.1 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 history for the past two cropping seasons;  
h) class of seed to be produced; and 
i) registration number of the seed grower.  
7.2 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  identit y and 
purity of the seed harvested.  
8 Field inspection  
8.1 The national seed certification authority shall prepare the inspections’ schedule for the inspectors , 
based on all necessary information on the application form, to ensure that the timing of inspecti ons allows the 
standards in Table 1 to be properly assessed.  
8.2 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.  
8.3 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. 8.4 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.  
8.4 Depending on the degree of contamination, the inspector may give instructions for off -types and  diseased 
plants to be rogued. In case of noxious weeds foun d in the field, the grower shall be instructed to  remove the 
weeds before harvesting .  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  8 
 8.5 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.  
9 Field requirements  
9.1 Pre basic  and basic seed shall be produced under the responsibility of the breeder or maintainer  
9.2 Certified seed may be produced in two generations.  
9.3 The national certification authority shall inspect and certify the production of pre -basic, basic and certifi ed 
seed crops  
9.4 A field producing a seed crop of wheat shall be approved for certification if it complies with the 
requirements in Table 1.  
Table 1 — Field standards for seed crops of wheat  
S/N  Variable  Pre-basic seed  Basic seed  Certified seed  
i. Previous cropping requirements  1 1 1 
ii. Isolation, m, min  10 10 5 
iii. Maximum Off -types per 100 m2, max  1 1 3 
iv. Kernel burnt (Tilletia barclayana) per 
100 m2, max  0 1 2 
v. Loose smut (Ustilago nuda) per 100 
m2, max  0 0 0 
9.5 Fields may be rejected for certification because of unsatisfactory condition caused by noxious weeds, 
poor growth, poorstands, excessive disease presence, insect damage, and any other condition that pre vents 
accurate inspection or creates doubt as to the identity of the variety.  
10 Seed sampling and laboratory standards  
10.1 The harvested seed from the field approved for certification shall be kept as an identified unit unt il 
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 sampling.  
10.2 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.  
10.3 An insp ector shall draw a representative submitted sample from each lot according to the Chapter 2 of  
ISTA rules.  
10.4 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 s tored in  
cool and dry conditions to prevent contamination and loss of germination.  DRS 275 -3: 2020  
9                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 10.5 Laboratories authorized by the national seed certification authority to conduct seed testing for  
certification shall follow the methodology established in the ISTA rules for wheat seed.  
10.6 The seed lots shall comply with the laboratory standards specified in Table 2.  
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. Germination, %, min.  85 80 75 
v. Moisture content, % max.  14 14 14 
 Weed seeds, per kg, max.  0  0 0 
NOTE Moisture content is expressed as a percentage of the fresh weight of the original sample.  
10.7 The laboratory test report shall be issued in accordance with Annex C.  
11 Certificates  
11.1 The seed test certificate for a seed lot shall be signed and issued by the national seed certificati on 
authority and shall include all information presented in Annex D. This certificate shall be valid fo r a period  of 
six months.  
11.2 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 previo usly issued  
certificate, and shal l include the certificate number of the cancelled certificate.  
12 Packaging and labelling  
12.1 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 off icial label of the national seed certification  
authority.  
12.2 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: Blue  
d) Certified Seed 2nd generation: Red  
12.3 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.   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  10 
 12.4 The labels shall be prominent, indelible, and legib le 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 in cluded on 
the official labels:  
a) front of label:  
1) name of the crop, “Wheat seed”;  
2) species (Latin name);  
3) variety denomination;  
4) seed lot number;  
5) test certificate number;  
6) date of test;  
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 applicable).  
12.4 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 c an be detected.  
12.5 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 prouced in another country, but shall retain t he 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 al l seed lots 
of the blend have met the field and laboratory requirements for certification prior to blending. A new lot DRS 275 -3: 2020  
11                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 number shall be issued. Details of the blended lots and their proportions shall be kept by the certi fying 
authority for traceability.  
13 Post -control tests  
The Post control tests shall be carried out in accordance with OECD Schemes for Varietal Certification or the 
Control of Seed Moving in the International Trade.  
 
 
 
 
  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  12 
 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 cro pping  
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  DRS 275 -3: 2020  
13                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 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  
   
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  14 
 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 
 
 
 
 
 DRS 275 -3: 2020  
15                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  C 
(normative)  
 
Seed test certificat e 
This certificate is issued for a seed lot which has satisfied all the requirements of the certification 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 ………………………………………………………………….  
  
©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved                  16 
 Bibliography  
[1] RS 275 -3: 2016, Seeds — Requirements for certification — Part 3: Wheat , First edition  
 DRS 275 -3: 2020  
 
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