Plant Variety and Seeds Regulations, 2018 (SI 23 of 2018).

These Regulations, consisting of 50 articles, establish rules for regulating and controlling the production, sale, and trade of seeds and setting testing procedures and minimum standards to ensure the quality and integrity of seeds. The key entities involved are (i) the Institute, responsible for variety assessment, seed testing, inspections, and monitoring licensed personnel, institutions, and seed trade, as well as registering seed companies; (ii) the Certifying Agency, authorized by the Controller of Seeds to certify seeds and ensure they meet the required standards; (iii) the Variety Release Committee, which reviews and establishes release procedures, approves varieties for multiplication and marketing, recommends varieties for the Variety Register, withdraws obsolete varieties, and approves variety denominations; and (iv) the Seed Control and Certification Institute, which oversees seed control and certification, issues licenses, and maintains registers of licensed entities.
Key provisions include (i) Field Inspections: Seed inspectors conduct thorough field inspections to ensure crops meet specified standards. Certification can be refused if crops are contaminated, infected, improperly isolated, or exceed approved hectarage; (ii) Licensing Requirements: Individuals and organizations involved in seed inspection, sampling, analysis, testing, processing, and selling must obtain appropriate licenses from the Controller of Seeds. Licenses are valid for twelve months and require applicants to meet specified training and qualification standards. Licensed entities are subject to supervision and must maintain satisfactory performance levels; (iii) Seed Sampling and Testing: Seed sampling and testing must adhere to established association rules, with processes overseen by licensed professionals and facilities; (iv) License Suspension and Revocation: The Certifying Authority holds the power to suspend or revoke licenses for breaches of specified conditions.
Additionally, licensed seed testing stations must meet specific requirements, including approved premises, management by a licensed seed analyst, adherence to testing standards, and maintaining records for inspection. Control growing and virus post-control are mandatory for certain crops, with detailed procedures for sampling and testing. Specific rules are provided for potato seeds graded by size, and certified seeds must be securely packaged, sealed, and labeled with exact information. Proper storage practices are essential to prevent contamination, with inspectors having the authority to refuse or cancel certification if Regulations are not followed.