Governmental Decree No. 1479-N validating the Regulation validating on seed certification procedure.

This Governmental Decree establishes that seed certification procedure shall be adopted in accordance with Article 8 of the Law on seeds. Seed certification in Armenia is carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture. The objectives of seed certification shall be as follows: (a) seeds of all varieties registered in the list of plant varieties authorized for use; and (b) seeds not included in the list, but authorized by the Government for marketing (sale) in Armenia. The purposes of seed certification shall be as follows: (a) to guarantee high quality of seeds produced in the Republic of Armenia (variety purity, variety belonging, germination, free from diseases and pests, low pollution with weeds and other (neutral) substances); (b) compliance of the procedures related to the certification of seeds of agricultural crops, assessment of seed quality, marketing with the requirements of international organizations (ISTA, OECD, FIS) - similar systems of foreign countries; and (c) promoting the production of high-quality, competitive seeds in the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the international requirements creating effective conditions for the activities of legal-natural persons producing, processing and selling seeds in the Republic of Armenia, as well as their participation in the international seed market. Seeds of all varieties registered in the list of licensed plant varieties must be certified. Seeds of varieties not registered in the list of plant varieties with a use permit may not be certified, except in cases when the Government of the Republic of Armenia allows the marketing (sale) of seeds of a variety not registered in the list. Seed labels of all classes shall be provided by the authorized state body on the basis of the submitted application. Seed producers, processors and packers apply for labels. Labels are used only by the applicant.