In cases where liability is at stake, it is essential that a laboratory for seed quality works correctly. NAL takes all the critical points of quality testing of seed into account: sampling prior to testing, the quality management system at the laboratory, the expertise of the analysts, the protocols and issuing the results via NAL quality certificates.
NAL authorization is possible for every type of seed quality testing: germination, moisture, purity, the determination of usable plants in soil, health, varietal trueness and varietal purity et cetera. Also tests of e.g. leaf material for its health can be in the scope of the NAL laboratory. This was chosen to maximize the benefits of NAL authorization.
Naktuinbouw has expertise regarding all aspects of the authorization system: setting up the system, training the analysts and samplers, assessing test protocols and the organization of corresponding proficiency tests. Our experts monitor authorized laboratories via annual audits.
Conditions
The NAL conditions are based on various guidelines and criteria. A complete overview of these conditions can be found in NAL conditions, v13.1.
Procedure
NAL authorizes your laboratory for the following points:
Quality management system
The laboratory has an adequate and solid quality management system: this way, testing and sampling are safeguarded.
Representative sampling
Trained samplers take representative samples. The procedure has been approved by Naktuinbouw.
Approved test protocols
The laboratory performs the quality tests based on testing protocols that have been assessed and approved by Naktuinbouw.
Proficiency tests
The laboratory takes part in the (annual) program of proficiency tests.
Communication
Controlled communication of reliable quality information via standard NAL quality certificates.
Acceptance
NAL-authorized laboratories can include the test results when sending them to their clients. These results can also facilitate export. For example, Australia accepts purity tests and other seed determinations conducted by NAL laboratories. The NVWA often accepts test results from NAL laboratories as supporting documentation for phytosanitary certificates during export.
For more information, please consult our flyer.
NAL Authorized laboratories
Currently, the following (international) seed companies have a NAL authorization. Their scope (in broad terms) is mentioned in the authenticated register.
Fee
The Naktuinbouw board establishes our inspection fees each year. The fees are subsequently approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The costs are charged based on the cost-maker cost-bearer principle. The fees for authorization can be found here Fees (pricelist).
Application and questions
Would you like to apply for authorization of your laboratory, or would you like more information about our authorization system? Please contact Bureau Authorizations (see below).
Bureau Authorizations
+31 71 332 61 90 | Team Authorizations
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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If my seed lot is just more than 30.000 seeds, using 10.000 seeds for one bacteria test is very much. Is there an alternative?
Sample size and subsample sizes must be described and validated in your test protocol and/or validation report. See condition 22.8.6. This is reviewed by NAL.
When I apply the NAL sampling requirements, do I fulfil requirements of third parties (like GSPP, import or export requirements)?
You are always responsible to check requirements of third parties yourself. Third parties may request a test on a larger sample.
Where can I register for newsletters?
You can register for our newsletters on our website
If required for export, which text has been approved and can be placed under the header 'Remarks' on the NAL quality certificate?
Please click on the link Approved remarks on NAL quality certificates to view the complete list.
To whom can a NAL participant outsource a test, with the intention of issuing a NAL quality certificate?
Click on the link Overview subcontractors to find an overview with subcontractors and their scope.
When do the new sampling requirements become into force?
The sampling requirements as described in the NAL conditions version 12 will become into force from 1 October 2024. Tests performed after this date that are used for NAL quality certificates must meet these requirements. Small and commercial seed lots sampled and tested before 1 October 2024 are exempt from this requirement and seed health test results can be used for NAL quality certificates when tested according to in-house sample sizes.
In case of fruit sampling, the number of seeds depends on the pathogen; why was chosen for 10, 3 and 1 seeds for bacteria, viruses and fungi respectively?
For bacteria this is coming from requirements for GSPP (Good seed and plant practices, see GSPP : hygiene in seed production and plant raising to prevent infection with pathogens). Compared to bacteria, viruses and fungi have a different risk (a different infection rate and a different distribution) which leads to different number of seeds.
For small seed lots, infection rates of 10% or 1% are applied (Table 3). Why?
Small seed samples come from a (very) low number of plants. The ratio between the one plant infected with a pathogen and the other(s) is high, so the infection rate is high. The relevant number of seeds is extrapolated from ISPM no. 31, appendix 2, table 1 and can be calculated by the formulas in appendix 2.
Can I do several tests on one (small) sample?
Each test must reflect the whole sample, the sample can not be divided prior to starting the test protocol.