The Australian Seeds Authority (ASA) is a not-for-profit company. Jointly established in 2002 by Seed Industry representative organisations, and licensed by the Australian Government, ASA established, developed and manages Seed Certification in Australia. This is fully consistent with the OECD Schemes for the Varietal Certification and the Control of Seed Moving in International Trade.
Our objective for the Seed Industry is to provide unified International Level Quality Standards and Processes for the Australian Seeds Industry. This supports product standards and sales, and OECD International Regulation compliance. It has been developed and managed with affordable, minimal cost to industry, and reliable and verifiable results.
ASA has decided to expand our general approach to other industries. ASA does not and will not become a competitor to any Industry Participants. We do not want to become a Regulatory Agency imposing inflexible rules on anyone. Our approach is to provide a Quality Framework and Systems to implement it. This will be for voluntary use by Industry and its Customers, to meet emerging quality and product delivery needs. Its a completely independent product Quality verification framework.
We are seeking partnerships with all existing and new Industry Participants to help deliver verified Quality. Our modest cost recovery is designed to occur towards the end of product processes, where it is most affordable.
Theres much more information on this site. We will be developing a range of services for our members. Please use the contact form if you want to ask any questions. We would like to discuss how we can help your industry and business.
Certification means that you can buy seed which is as close as possible to the genetic make-up of the variety as selected by the breeder. It also provides assurance of low or no contamination by other seeds or varieties.
The plant breeder spends a lot of time and effort to produce a new variety which he/she believes is superior in some respect to other varieties commercially available, and hence offers benefits to farmers who grow that variety. The certification rules and the certification process are designed to ensure that the buyer of seed of that variety actually gets crop or pasture plants with the valuable characteristics selected by the breeder.
ASA has over a decades experience in design, development, delivery and administration of major, independent, transparent National Quality Assurance Systems designed to efficiently guarantee quality agricultural product delivery worldwide.
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The ASA Seed Certification Schemes are based on rigorous agreed standards. Delivery is through Accredited and Authorised Organisations and Companies. Roles, Activities and Inspection requirements are defined. Performance of participants is reviewed consistently and regularly, with independent assessment where necessary. There is focus on efficiency and effectiveness.
ASA
ASA convenes work and advisory groups to develop/review all standards and key industry relevant QA processes. ASA maintains these standards. It supports industry representative groups for technical and planning advice. These arrangements are maintained by voluntary agreements with key industry participants. ASA is funded by payments based on the amount of seed finally certified under the system. Certification is valued for promoting sales and providing access under internationally recognised OECD seed trading requirements.
Seed Certification Agencies / Businesses
Principal Certification activity is managed by Accredited Certification Agencies. Agencies develop, document and maintain their own certification processes and schemes. These schemes are fully consistent with the ASA Domestic and OECD Scheme requirements. Agency Schemes and Processes are independently reviewed (using NATA) for consistency and rigorous application. Agencies Authorise Processors, Inspectors and Samplers for delivery. Agencies maintain detailed records of overall scheme operation, audits and performance reviews and adjustments.
Laboratories
Using International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) accredited Laboratories, seed for certification is tested from authorised samples and the results incorporated into the Certification results.
Processors
Certified seed is processed through Agency Authorised (Processor) businesses who bag and label seed consistent with the Schemes requirements. Processors may be specialised companies of large integrated enterprises covering the full range of seed production activities.
Growers
Growers produce seed crops using standards consistent methods for inclusion as Certified Seed.
Inspectors
Inspectors progressively review and document the various processes reporting back to Agencies ensuring proper scheme operation and Quality Assured Seed.
ASA does not “compete” with any part of the Seeds Industry. Our services complement your Business.
This is primarily a business operation site. If you are not active in the Australian Seeds Industry there’s little advantage to creating an account here.
Once you create an account you can (depending on your Role):
- get instant access to our Members Page
- Access the Members contact list
- create a Business record (or several) for site use, Industry visibility and if you choose, public inclusion in the ASA Seeds Industry Directory
- request access to ASA Seeds Roles
- create records identifying / registering your Varieties, recording the essential information for domestic or international registration
- as an accredited Agency or authorised Processor you can order and manage Certification labels for your business
- gain access to ASA industry information
- your site requests and activity are always available to you when logged into the ASA Seeds site
- ASA believes in transparency, but your records are only available to your user account, to ASA Staff, and to any other member you choose to give access
- You can of course make information available about your Variety, your Products, or your Services through the Seeds Industry directory
- all of the above is provided without charge to you (as at Aug 2017)
- you can also apply to become a registered ASA Ltd member with voting rights at AGM’s etc (an annual fee applies, and Board confirmation is required)
To start, nothing. Its FREE. You can create an account on this site now, with no obligation, using the button below.
You can then (Optionally, your choice) create an Industry Directory Record. AND, you can add photos, logos, and details of your business or service, and have these viewable by ASA Seeds Site Members or the Public (again, your choice).
There is an annual fee for accredited Agencies and authorised Processors who can use ASA services and systems. Supply of some ASA services may attract a charge.
The Providers listed in the Directory are the early adopters of this Quality Assurance initiative. Entries are displayed for your information.