CSI Laboratory Accreditation Program Background
Information for businesses that conduct seed analysis

The process for new laboratories seeking accreditation includes completing an accreditation application followed by a quality assurance manual review, sample proficiency testing and premise inspections conducted by the CFIA Laboratory Services Division. Once all the accreditation conditions are met, the Chief, Purity, Germination and Accreditation Program will issue a letter of accreditation. If you wish to inquire about becoming CFIA Accredited Seed Testing Laboratory, contact:

Chief, Purity, Germination and Accreditation Program
CFIA Saskatoon Laboratory Seed Science & Technology Section (SSTS)
Suite 310, 421 Downey Road
Saskatoon, SK
S7N 4L8
or email Janine Maruschak at Janine.Maruschak@inspection.gc.ca. 

The Canadian Seed Institute (CSI) has been recognized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to undertake the on-going audits in year one of a three year Seed Laboratory Proficiency Monitoring Program.

Outline of CFIA Laboratory Accreditation Program

Audit and Split Sample Monitoring – Year 1

The first year of the cycle is considered the year of initial audit by CFIA to accredit the lab and thereafter every third year in which an audit will be conducted by CSI.  During the audit the lab technical expert and auditor will confirm compliance with: the Seed Laboratory Accreditation and Audit Protocol, the Methods and Procedures for Testing Seed, the Seeds Act and Regulations and the clients own quality system manual and associated procedures and work instructions.

As part of conducting an on-site laboratory audit, the auditor will require the laboratory to provide 10 randomly selected monitoring samples that will be submitted to the CFIA Saskatoon Laboratory. The auditor will also request copies of the corresponding work sheets and certificates of analysis.

Interval Proficiency Monitoring – Year 2

During the first non-assessment year, the laboratory must conduct internal monitoring to verify the proficiency of each analyst performing seed tests related to the lab’s purity and germination scope of accreditation.  Records of the monitoring and any corrective action taken to improve analyst proficiency must be maintained on file and made available to the auditor during an audit.

Proficiency Check Samples – Year 3

During second non-assessment year, the laboratory receives up to a maximum of three sets of three samples each prepared for the purpose of measuring their testing accuracy (precision) and consistency (bias). The check samples are distributed to all laboratories in the third year of their assessment cycle and the results from the participating labs are used as the basis for comparison. Where there is evidence of problems, the laboratory is notified by CFIA and corrective action is taken. Annual summary reports of performance are prepared and submitted to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

To learn about the CSI Quality System Audits and ISO Client Compliance, please read more in our News section.

Additional CSI Lab Accreditation Programs

Registered Seed Establishment: Monitoring Lab Program

Samples of seed and/or documentation representing lots graded or stored by establishments are obtained by CSI accredited auditors during the facilities audit. These samples are then submitted to CSI laboratories that have been identified as CSI monitoring laboratories.
Click here for the CSI Monitoring Laboratory Application Form.

Authorized Importer Monitoring Laboratory Program

During audits of Authorized Importer clients a CSI auditor will obtain samples and/ or documentation representing lots of seed imported. The auditor will then forward the monitoring samples and documentation to a CSI monitoring laboratory for confirmation of release by the labs Seed Import Release Agent (SIRA) or Accredited Grader.
Click here for the CSI Monitoring Laboratory Application Form.

Accredited Seed Laboratory Export Testing Program

The Export Program resulted from a program introduced by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to implement a derogatory experiment on seed sampling and seed analysis. This program, as it applies to Canadian accredited seed testing laboratories, will allow qualified labs and analysts to use AOSA rules to evaluate germination and purity of lots proposed for export to OECD countries.

• For analysts who have been evaluated as RST’s their certificate will meet the CSI requirements.
• For analysts who wish to be evaluated on AOSA rules click here for the evaluation.

A second requirement of analysts is to be evaluated on the EU Seed Directives and the CSI Export Technical Manual.
Click here for the EU Grader Evaluation.

Any seed laboratory in Canada currently accredited for germination and purity testing is eligible for the export program. Laboratories will make application to CFIA for accreditation and  be audited by CFIA. Quality systems will have to be modified to account for the additional reference material (AOSA and OECD) and use of CDI Export certificates.