2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry › Chapter 2-6 - Rhode Island Seed Act › Section 2-6-3. - Label requirements.

§ 2-6-3. Label requirements.
Each container of agricultural and vegetable seeds sold, offered for sale, exposed for sale, or transported within this state for sowing purposes shall have placed on or affixed to it in a conspicuous place a plainly written or printed label or tag in the English language, giving the following information, which statement shall not be modified or denied in the labeling or on another label attached to the container:
(1)
For all seeds named and treated as defined in this chapter (for which a separate label may be used):
(i)
A word or statement indicating that the seed has been treated;
(ii)
The commonly accepted, coined, chemical, or abbreviated chemical (generic) name of the applied substance or description of the process used;
(iii)
If the substance in the amount present with the seed is harmful to human or other vertebrate animals, a caution statement such as “Do not use for food, feed, or oil purposes.” The caution for mercurials and similarly toxic substances is a poison statement or symbol;
(iv)
If the seed is treated with an inoculant, the date beyond which the inoculant is not to be considered effective (date of expiration).
(2)
For agricultural seeds, except for grass seed mixtures as provided in subdivision (3):
(i)
The name of the kind and variety for each agricultural seed component present in excess of five percent (5%) of the whole and the percentage by weight of each. If the variety of those kinds generally labeled as to variety as designated in the regulations is not stated, the label shall show the name of the kind and the words, “Variety not stated.” Hybrids shall be labeled as hybrids;
(ii)
Lot number or other lot identification;
(iii)
Origin (state or foreign country), if known, of alfalfa, red clover, and field corn (except hybrid corn). If the origin is unknown, the fact shall be stated;
(iv)
Percentage by weight of all weed seeds;
(v)
The name and rate of occurrence per pound of each kind of restricted noxious weed seed present;
(vi)
Percentage by weight of agricultural seeds (which may be designated as “crop seeds”) other than those required to be named on the label;
(vii)
Percentage by weight of inert matter;
(viii)
For each named agricultural seed:
(A)
Percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed;
(B)
Percentage of hard seeds, if present;
(C)
The calendar month and year the test was completed to determine those percentages;
Following (A) and (B) the “total germination and hard seed” may be stated as this, if desired;
(ix)
Name and address of the person who labeled the seed, or who sells, offers or exposes the seed for sale within this state.
(3)
For seed mixtures for lawn and/or turf purposes in containers of fifty (50) pounds or less:
(i)
The word “Mixed” or “Mixture”;
(ii)
The headings “Fine-textured grasses” and “Coarse kinds” and under these headings in tabular form in type no larger than the heading:
(A)
Commonly accepted name, in order of its predominance of the kind, or kind and variety of each agricultural seed present in excess of five percent (5%) of the whole and determined to be a “Fine-textured grass” or a “Coarse kind” in accordance with the rules and regulations under this chapter;
(B)
Percentage by weight of pure seed of each agricultural seed named;
(C)
For each agricultural seed named under (A) above:
(I)
Percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed;
(II)
Percentage of hard seed, if present;
(III)
Calendar month and year the test was completed to determine those percentages;
(iii)
The heading “Other ingredients” and under this heading in type no larger than the heading:
(A)
Percentage by weight of all weed seeds;
(B)
Percentage by weight of all agricultural seeds other than those stated under subdivision (a) of this section;
(C)
Percentage by weight of inert matter;
(iv)
Lot number or other lot identification;
(v)
Name and rate of occurrence per pound of each kind of restricted noxious weed seed present;
(vi)
Name and address of the person who labeled the seed or who sells, offers or exposes the seed for sale within this state;
(vii)
Net weight;
(viii)
In addition to the provisions of this section, labeling of lawn or turf grass mixtures shall comply with the requirements of § 201 of the federal seed act, 7 U.S.C. § 1571.
(4)
For vegetable seeds in containers of one pound or less:
(i)
Name of kind and variety of seed;
(ii)
The calendar month and year the seed was tested or the year for which the seed was packaged;
(iii)
Name and address of the person who labeled the seed or who sells, offers, or exposes the seed for sale within this state;
(iv)
For seeds which germinate less than the standard last established by the director under this chapter:
(A)
Percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed;
(B)
The words “Below standard” in not less than eight (8)-point type;
(C)
Percentage of hard seed, if present;
(5)
For vegetable seeds in containers of more than one pound;
(i)
The name of each kind and variety present in excess of five percent (5%) and the percentage by weight of each in order of its predominance;
(ii)
Lot number or other lot identification;
(iii)
For each named vegetable seed:
(A)
Percentage germination exclusive of hard seed;
(B)
Percentage of hard seed, if present;
(C)
The calendar month and year the test was completed to determine those percentages;
Following (A) and (B) the “total germination and hard seed” may be stated as this if desired;
(iv)
Name and address of the person who labeled the seed, or who sells, offers or exposes the seed for sale within this state;
(v)
The labeling requirements for vegetable seeds in containers of more than one pound are deemed to have been met if the seed is weighed from a properly labeled container in the presence of the purchaser.
History of Section.
P.L. 1978, ch. 371, § 2.