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Glossary of abbreviations and terms
- AC (approved conditioner)
- An establishment that prepares seed of pedigreed status and in respect of which a registration as an approved conditioner is in force
- AI (authorized importer)
- An establishment that prepares imported seed and in respect of which a registration as an authorized importer is in force
- BSF (bulk storage facility)
- An establishment that stores, in bulk, seed graded with a Canada pedigreed grade name and in respect of which a registration as a bulk storage facility is in force
- CFIA
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- CVB
- Conformity verification body
- GB grader
- A grader accredited to examine seed and to review analytical information on certificates of analysis to assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to all crop kinds set out in Tables I to VI and XVIII.
- GD grader
- A grader accredited to assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to seed lots based on a review of the reports of analysis (ROAs) only. GD graders are accredited to assign a grade to crop kinds found in 1 or more groups of the Tables in Schedule I (the Grade Tables) to the regulations.
- SICAs (seed import conformity assessors)
- (formerly GI graders/SIRAs) are accredited to assess whether imported seed meets the minimum standards for import into Canada based on their review of Canadian and/or foreign ROAs. SICAs are accredited to assess conformity with minimum standards for crop kinds found in any group(s) of the Grade Tables for which they are accredited.
- ISTA
- International Seed Testing Association
- QA
- quality assurance
- SLAAP
- seed laboratory accreditation and audit protocol
Roles and responsibilities
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for the:
- accreditation of laboratories, analysts and graders
- licensing of operators and samplers
- registration of approved conditioners, bulk storage facilities and authorized importers, and
- administering and enforcing the Seeds Act and regulations
CFIA roles and responsibilities
- audit the CVB to verify that the CVB does and can continue to meet its responsibilities with respect to the Seed Program
- maintain and update, as required, the seed laboratory accreditation and audit protocol (SLAAP)
- receive and review applications for laboratory accreditation for conformity with the SLAAP, including the initial laboratory audit
- administer seed analyst evaluations
- conduct pre-accreditation proficiency sample testing for scope of testing requested by new laboratory
- provide assistance in the development of proficiency testing programs delivered by the CVB
- provide CVB and accredited laboratories with the test results/reports on all proficiency testing programs for the laboratories
- conduct inspections at a registered seed establishment at any time but must be done when:
- the CVB issues a corrective action request pertaining to a critical non-conformance
- a review of the CVB annual report triggers an inspection as part of the annual directed inspection plan
- a complaint or other evidence of non-compliance is received, or
- a registered seed establishment is suspended or cancelled
- during an inspection, the inspector may take samples, verify that product meets the required standard, verify labels and records and conduct any other activity to verify compliance with the Seeds Act and regulations
- administer practical assessments for all graders and administer theory assessments for SICAs
- The Seed Section respond to requests from CVB for interpretation of regulations, policies and procedures
- approve and validate the use of automatic seed samplers for use in the taking of samples drawn for the issuance of an ISTA certificate by CFIA
- maintain records of registered seed establishments and their personnel
- collect fees for renewal of graders and operators not located at registered seed establishments
The conformity verification body
The conformity verification body (CVB) is accredited by the CFIA for the:
- assessment, recommendation for approval and audit of approved conditioners (AC), bulk storage facilities (BSF) and authorized importers (AI)
- recommendation for accreditation/licensing of graders and operators who have successfully completed written evaluations as referred to in the Seeds Regulations, and
- recommendation for annual renewal of laboratories that have successfully completed an audit in the current or preceding calendar year and successfully participated in check sample programs approved by the CFIA
CVB roles and responsibilities:
- accept and review applications for registration of establishments, licensing of operators, and accreditation of graders
- provide or accredit, in accordance with the CVB standards, technical auditors who will assess/audit an establishment's ability to meet the CVB standards according to an established frequency
- provide or accredit, in accordance with the CVB standards, technical auditors who will audit a laboratory's ability to meet the SLAAP according to an established frequency
- assess the applicants who wish to be licensed as approved conditioner for competence in complying with CFIA requirements
- administer theory assessments for GB and GD graders in compliance with the Guide to the Evaluation of Candidate Seed Graders and Seed Import Conformity Assessors
- develops/maintains quality system standards for the accreditation of AC, BSF and AI facilities
- develops/maintains technical manuals to provide industry guidance on the AC, BSF and AI programs
- develops/maintains audit protocols and procedures to assess/audit facilities to verify facility compliance with CVB quality system standards and the Seeds Regulations
- recommend to CFIA for registration, licensing, recognition or accreditation and renewal thereof, as the case may be, establishments, facilities, and individuals, as the case may be, that meet the CFIA requirements
- draw monitoring samples and arrange for testing at a monitoring laboratory
- during an establishment assessment, obtain and document objective evidence to determine whether
- the establishment's QA documentation is accessible, current and available to all staff
- the procedures described in the client's QA manual are being adhered to
- the processes are being performed by competent personnel (accredited/licensed as necessary) according to specifications stipulated in the relevant procedures
- the seed meets the required standard
- identify and classify non-conformances and issue corrective action requests to establishments
- maintain the database on seed establishments which includes information on assessments/audits and may include information on recognition programs other than those under the authority of the Seeds Regulations
- report annually to the CFIA on the results of audits conducted in the prior seed year
Note that CVB collects annual fees from seed establishments for the renewal of their registration and the renewal of accreditation/licensing for their personnel.