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Laboratories Recognized for Seed Export: ‘LEEZ’

LEEZ regulates the official use of NAL test results for seed export certification. Companies with LEEZ recognition may use the results of their own disease tests as a guarantee for export, provided the company has a NAL authorization for these tests.

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LEEZ is aligned with NAL, meaning that the three NAL pillars - auditing, protocol assessment, and proficiency tests - remain unchanged. The post control under LEEZ is an official post control. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) decides, based on advice from Naktuinbouw, on matters such as the consequences of a deviation for inclusion in the LEEZ register.

 Requirements

Only Dutch companies with NAL authorization for disease testing may apply for LEEZ recognition. This recognition allows Dutch seed companies not only to conduct their own sampling and testing but also to use the results for export certification. This ensures a smooth and efficient business process.

In addition to the other NAL requirements, participants in LEEZ must also comply with the module "NAL-LEEZ, NAL Condition 27". You can find a link to the NAL conditions on the NAL webpage. 

Is LEEZ mandatory?

Companies with NAL authorization are not required to apply for LEEZ recognition. In that case, they have the seeds that require a phytosanitary certificate for export tested by the official Naktuinbouw laboratory. To maintain their NAL authorization, they must continue to meet the existing NAL conditions (with the exception of 'NAL-LEEZ, NAL Condition 27') and be able to demonstrate this during annual audits.

New and international companies can also apply for NAL authorization without needing or wanting to qualify for LEEZ. NAL provides proven assurance of the quality of their own tests but also allows them to issue NAL quality certificates to customers. Or to perform weed tests for export to Australia.

LEEZ in practice

The procedure for exporting seeds by LEEZ-recognized companies is as follows:

  1. The company completes a phytosanitary certificate. The country to which the seed is destined determines the requirements. This could, for example, involve laboratory testing for a specific pathogen. The company performed the test itself in its own NAL-authorized laboratory on a sample taken in the Netherlands. The laboratory is LEEZ-approved for the test in question.
  2. An inspector issues the phytosanitary certificate after performing a number of checks:
  • Did the company itself or Naktuinbouw perform the test?
  • Was the batch sampled in the Netherlands?
  • Did the test take place on a date when NAL authorization was in place?
  • Is the test in question LEEZ-approved on the date of export?

3. The NAL auditor annually checks whether the company complies with the procedures using 'NAL Condition 27'. The auditor not only checks the company's quality management system but also the execution of the tests and the sampling method.

4. An NVWA auditor conducts administrative inspections at the company.

Would you like to know more about LEEZ or NAL? Please contact Bureau Authorizations (see below).

Bureau Authorizations
+31 71 332 61 90 | Team Authorizations