Welcome to the Institute for Seed

The Institute for Seed is a service provider and network partner in fulfilment of the Seed Act and relevant standards. We test, assess, certify, supervise, and inspect the resource Seed – a foundation for the production of safe food.

Core functions and capabilities:

• Execution of the Seed Act 1997 as amended, including any national regulations and European legislation within the remit of the Federal Office for Food Safety (BAES) as authority of first instance
• Administration, coordination, and granting of authorisations and certifications according to procedures based on the Seed Act
• Supervision and inspection of the placing on the market of seeds
• Risk assessment and risk management for seeds
• Testing and assessment according to the Seed Act, preparation of test reports and expert opinions
• Development, evaluation, and refinement of methods and procedures; Reference Laboratory for Arbitration Analyses
• Maintenance of the  Organic Seed Database according to EU Regulation (EC) 834/2007
• Implementation of the GMO Seed  legislation, including coexistence
• Expert statements on draftdirectives, regulations, decisions, recommendations, communications of the bodies of the European Union and other international organisations, and national bills and draft regulations
• Representation of the Austrian position in international organisations, such as the OECD, ISTA, IPTS, and EU bodies
• Execution of the Plant Protection Act 1995 as amended in the area of seeds and seed stocks
• Practical value assessment of seed
• Research activity in national and international projects

ORGANISATION
Department for Seed Certification
Department for Seed Testing
Sample and Data Management

Contact:
Institute for Seed AGES Vienna
Spargelfeldstraße 191
A-1220 Vienna

Phone: +43 (0) 50555 - 31121 (secretariat)
Fax: +43 (0) 50555 – 34808
Email: saatgut@ages.at