

Click on image for larger view

1.0 Process
If the automatic sampling device will be used for sampling for the issuance
of International Seed Lot Certificates, the company or applicant must send an
application for accreditation to the CFIA SSTS Laboratory
(Saskatoon).
The application shall be accompanied with the section of the company's
quality manual dealing with automatic sampling. The section of the manual must
include the following information:
- The type of automatic seed sampler.
- The procedures the company intends to use.
- The name of the person responsible for the correct application of the
conditions.
- Data indicating that the results obtained by this device are similar to
other ISTA
approved manual sampling methods.
- The data should include test results for percent purity, other seeds by
number and percent germination tests of 10 seed lots. The same ten seed lots
must be sampled by the automatic sampler and an ISTA approved manual
sampling method by a CFIA "official seed
sampler".
For approval, it is required that the results for each of the three quality
traits of the composite samples should be within tolerances as provided in the
ISTA Rules,
at a minimum in 70% of the 10 seed lots tested (7/10). If less than 70% of the
seed lots results are not in tolerance, further seed lot sampling and testing
must be conducted by the company to achieve 70%.
If the application is acceptable, then the CFIA ISTA member laboratory
and/or the official seed sampler shall inspect the automatic seed sampling
device at the establishment.
2.0 Authorization Requirements
If all conditions are fulfilled, the automatic seed sampler can be
accredited/authorized. The approval, as well as the conditions of the approval,
will be communicated in writing.
- The automatic seed sampler must have an uninterrupted duct with the sample
container. The connection between the automatic seed sampler itself and the
sample container shall be so constructed that seed cannot remain in the funnel
or duct and seed cannot be added or withdrawn.
- All sections and parts of the automatic seed sampler shall be constructed
in such a way that they can be cleaned easily and thoroughly.
- The minimum number of primary samples, as prescribed by the ISTA Rules (sampling
intensity), must be taken.
- The proper adjustment and operation of the automatic seed sampler must be
checked prior to operation.
- The adjustment on the automatic seed sampler shall be indicated and
accessible to the seed sampler.
- During the sampling of the same seed lot, the adjustment of the automatic
seed sampler may not be altered.
- The sample container shall be identified in such a way that a direct link
with the seed lot can be made.
- Records of the use and maintenance of automatic seed samplers must be kept.
These records should be maintained in a log book with at least the following
information:
- serial number of the composite sample container
- adjustments to the automatic seed sampler
- seed lot data (species, lot number and lot size)
- size of the composite sample
- maintenance activities and date
- There must be clear operation instructions for the automatic seed
sampler.
- Any changes to the installation of the automatic seed sampling device must
be documented.
3.0 Post Authorization Requirements:
After approval of the automatic seed sampler for the issuance of
International Seed Lot Certificates, it shall be checked at least once a year.
The monitoring shall be performed by the approved CFIA accredited laboratory
and the CFIA
licensed sampler. A comparison of test results from samples taken by the
automatic seed sampler and those obtained from the samples taken by the
ISTA approved
manual sampling method shall be conducted by a CFIA "official seed
sampler" and the CFIA ISTA member
laboratory.
Previous page: Appendix X1
- XIV