Changes

Seed imported into Australia may require purity or germination testing and certification, in accordance with the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) methodology.

On July 15 2024, ISTA introduced a new electronic system for issuing and viewing ISTA Orange International Certificates (OICs).

Accredited ISTA laboratories may now issue certificates (OICs) to clients in either paper format (traditional method) or in electronic format.

In light of this change, the department is now accepting ISTA certificates produced in both of the following formats:

1. Electronic certificate – Note: A downloaded PDF version of the e-Certificate must be provided to the department for assessment.
2. Paper certificate.

Key features of electronic ISTA certificates

• The appearance and layout of electronic certificates will closely resemble their paper counterparts, with the signature in electronic format.
• There will be a certificate number (OICXXXXXXXXXX) and an access code, which will appear along the left-hand side of the certificate. These can be used to verify the authenticity of the actual certificate using the view e-Certificates portal.
• E-certificates remain in line with the department’s minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy.

Who does this notice affect?
This notice is for importers (and their customs brokers) of seeds for sowing and consumption that require ISTA testing for purity and germination, and department staff.

Further information:
For further information please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or email imports@aff.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email ‘Plant T2 – seed for sowing’).