OECD Users Guide Section B - Policy

Overview: Policy

The Policy section of the OECD Users Guide provides guidance on certain procedures within the program. Procedures related to specific areas of the program are detailed in the respective section of this guide. For example, procedures related to the Accreditation Program can be found in Section D.

Section B-1: General Policy

1.1 Classes of seed recognized under OECD

1.2 U.S. cultivars eligible for OECD certification

1.3 Changes to cultivar list

1.4 Foreign varieties  

1.5 Seed enrollment in the Program

1.6 Post control procedures

1.1 Classes of seed recognized under OECD

The classes of seed recognized under the OECD Seed Schemes are as follows: Pre-Basic Seed, Basic Seed, First Generation Certified Seed, and Second or Successive Generation Certified Seed. Listed below are the seed classes in the United States with the comparable OECD seed categories and labels:

1.2 U.S. cultivars eligible for OECD certification

Cultivars bred or selected in the United States will be eligible for certification under the OECD Seed Schemes if acceptance into the State seed certification program is in accordance with approved procedures and the cultivars are included on the OECD list of approved cultivars for certification.

1.3 Changes to cultivar list

Requests for additions, deletions, and changes to the U.S. Cultivars Eligible for OECD Certification are submitted by the requesting company (maintainer) to the SCA. The request form is available on the U.S. OECD Program Web site.  Revise this wording to match new site when completed – The forms are available in either a PDF or Microsoft Word format. 

After review and approval, the SCA forwards the approved request form to the OECD Program manager by e-mail attachment or fax. The U.S. OECD database will be updated on an on-going basis. The Web site where the list of U.S. Cultivars Eligible for OECD Certification may be searched is https://apps.ams.usda.gov/oecdvarietalsearch/

1.4 Foreign varieties

Foreign varieties must be on the list of Cultivars Eligible for OECD Certification before they can be certified under the OECD Seed Schemes.

Foreign requests for multiplication of OECD tagged seed in the U.S. do not require multiplication agreements.

Clearance of planting stock of a foreign cultivar without OECD tags. The US OECD Program manager, representing the U.S. Designated Authority, must clear seed lots not tagged with OECD labels with the Designated Authority in the originating country of the multiplication request.

The multiplying company/foreign OECD Designated Authority should supply the following information to the US OECD Program Manager when requesting clearance of untagged planting stock of a foreign cultivar under the OECD rules:

a. The variety name and species,

b. The name and address of the U.S. seed firm making the increase,

c. The name and address of the foreign firm contracting production of the seed in the United States,

d. Breeder’s name and address, and

e. The category, quantity, and reference number of each lot of planting stock.

The OECD Program manager will request approval from the Designated Authority in the originating country for specific lots of not officially tagged planting stock of a foreign variety for increase in the United States. The OECD Program manager will indicate the class of seed for labeling the progeny of these seed lots under the OECD Seed Schemes.

1.5 Seed enrollment in the Program

Lot enrollment should only apply for lots intended for international shipment and begins when information is submitted pertaining to the issuing of OECD tags. This information should be submitted at least biweekly according to the procedures in Section C, Electronic Users Specifications.

Lots will be considered ‘in the program’ at the time tags are issued and lots are finally approved.

Certificates can only be submitted once a lot is fully enrolled. Each lot designated for export should have a Certificate. If necessary, multiple Certificates may be issued referring to a single lot.

1.6 Post control procedures

Post control procedures are detailed in the International OECD Seed Schemes guidelines and should be followed by the SCA for the appropriate crop. Post control procedures are based on the minimum levels of checks required and frequency of failures for certified seed from the previous year.

Section B-2: Fees

• 2.1 Fee Collection
• 2.2 Billing cycle
• 2.3 Refunds

2.1 Fee collection

Fees are collected for administration of the Program and dues are forwarded annually to the International Secretariat.

The SCA will collect the assessed fees from the seed companies and forward to AMS at least quarterly. These bills will include the weight of the product tagged, the customer, reference number, and the billing rate. These totals will be based on the biweekly information reported by the states.

2.2 Billing cycle

Invoices will be sent out on the closest billing date to January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.

2.3 Refunds

No refunds will be given by AMS/OECD on tags or certificates issued and not used.

Section B-3: Record Maintenance

Official records for the OECD Seed Schemes are maintained no less than 5 years after a certificate is issued. Official records would include those required for state and federal laws and information regarding lot size, certificates issued, and quantities shipped. These records may be electronic and/or hard copy.

Section B-4: Reports to Program Manager

Year end reports to OECD Program Office will continue as they have in the past. The OECD Program manager will compile the data from the states and forward this information to the OECD Secretariat.

Section B-5: Multiplication

• 5.1 What is Multiplication?
• 5.2 Multiplication deadlines
• 5.3 Steps of Multiplication

5.1 What is Multiplication?

Multiplication is the increase of seed under the OECD Seed Scheme in a different country and then its return to the country of origin. Multiplication conditions must be agreed in advance by the Designated Authorities (DA) of both countries concerned. The DA must be satisfied that the variety is likely to remain true to its description under the conditions proposed, and after consulting with the maintainer, whether more than one generation of increase should be permitted in the country of multiplication. If so, the DA must then decide what the maximum number of years approved will be.

5.2 Multiplication deadlines

For seed to be shipped for spring planting, the deadline for multiplications going to Chile is November 30, and for the remainder of South America is December 15, of each year. They must have the request in-hand by that date.

Details of what should be included in the multiplication request are detailed in the latest multiplication form—available from the OECD program manager.

Varieties to be increased under the OECD program must be accepted into the OECD listing of varieties (See 1.2 and 1.3 – [Link to applicable sections above]) or be undergoing registration.

5.3 Steps of Multiplication

Some of the important steps in the request for a multiplication in another country are as follows:

• Decide if the variety/inbred is on the US or International OECD List of Approved Varieties.
• If not listed, then list eligible inbreds and varieties to be multiplied using the appropriate form. Multiplication forms are at the U.S. OECD Program web site. After completion, send to the US OECD Seed Schemes Program Manager.
• Forms are then sent to the country of multiplication’s Designated Authority and copies to the seed company who made the request.
• No confirmation of acceptance of the multiplication is received.