Quality control and traceability are essential elements in the production of
farm-processed seed, and the NAAC has taken a proactive role in establishing an
independently audited quality standard for mobile seed processing contractors.
This covers the quality of service which the contractor provides and is known as the NAAC Assured
Land-Based Contractor (Verified Seed) Scheme. Mobile seed processing contractors and their customers must
co-operate to ensure that a safe, traceable seed processing service can take place. The Scheme offers purchasers
and consumers genuine assurance about the activity of contractors. Contractors will only be certified if they can
meet the appropriate standards.
In addition to the NAAC’s Verified Seed Specific Standard, the contractor must
also have been assessed against the NAAC Assured Land-Based Contractor (Generic)
Standard in the current scheme year. Please note, certification cannot be granted without conformity with the
generic and seed standards.
The NAAC scheme is designed to help contractors involved in the mobile
processing of seed to identify the hazards and critical control points of the
process. The scheme aims to help the person processing seed to fully understand,
and to be able to show full understanding of, the seed processing system and the
critical control points of that process. These critical control points will include:
- Ensuring that personnel involved in seed processing are suitably skilled
- Ensuring that seed materials are traceable and are free from harmful contamination
- Providing appropriate storage for raw materials
- Ensuring that processing equipment is regularly and appropriately maintained and cleaned
- Adopting production processes, such as record keeping, which ensures full traceability
- Identifying and controlling hazards which might occur
To establish a framework of good and safe working practices to be verified by
independent external assessors that will enable members of the scheme to produce a
safe, fully traceable seed to meet the requirements of any national quality
assurance programmes.
The scheme is open to NAAC members and non-members, and the Association will provide
contractors with the appropriate support and advice.
The scheme is currently being submitted to reach UKAS EN45011 accreditation.
