At a time of growing pressure on global food systems, the work of the UNECE Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes (GE.6) is delivering practical solutions: strengthened certification systems that protect agricultural production and enable trade.
Seed potatoes are a highly regulated product due to the risk of spreading pests and diseases. Differences between national certification systems can create barriers to trade and limit market access.
Setting requirements for certification
By setting internationally agreed minimum requirements for certification, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Seed Potato Standard (S-1) helps ensure that only seed potatoes that meet quality standards are placed on the market. This contributes to increased potato production through:
- higher and more stable yields
- reduced spread of pests and diseases
- greater efficiency across the value chain
First adopted in 1963 and fully revised in 2025, the standard provides the only international framework covering all key aspects of seed potato certification, including varietal identity, traceability, pests and diseases, sizing and labelling. Used worldwide as a reference, the standard helps align national certification systems, build trust between trading partners and reduce uncertainty in cross-border trade.
Shaping practices globally
The use of the seed potato standard has shaped practices globally. For example, in the European Union there is a scheme for the certification of seed potatoes that is aligned with the UNECE seed potato standard, as set out in Council Directive 2002/56/EC of 13 June 2002 on the marketing of seed potatoes. In the Netherlands – the largest exporting countries for seed potatoes globally – certification systems are closely aligned with UNECE principles, including common definitions and quality requirements that facilitate trade. In 2024, the Dutch inspection service (NAK) inspected approximately 38,500 hectares of seed potatoes and certified around 823,000 tonnes for export, both within and beyond the European Union.
While the standard is not a regulatory requirement in Australia, the Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority (AuSPICA) uses it as an important technical reference framework within its seed potato certification activities operating across multiple Australian states. AuSPICA annually inspects and certifies more than 2,000 hectares of seed potato crops annually, resulting in the certification of 40,000 tonnes of seed potatoes supplied to both domestic and export markets.
In South Africa, seed potato production covered over 11,000 hectares in 2023, with around 170,000 tonnes certified annually, supporting both domestic supply and regional exports, with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia as the main export markets. The South African Seed Potato Certification Scheme’s alignment with UNECE standards ensures that certified seed meets internationally recognized quality benchmarks, strengthening producer confidence, facilitating market access, and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the value chain.
Strengthening certification systems
The Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes brings together governments, certification authorities and industry experts on a regular basis. Apart from regularly reviewing the standard, it develops practical guidance to support countries in building and modernizing seed potato certification systems.
This includes practical guides on:
- implementing a seed potato certification scheme,
- operating a seed potato certification service,
- seed potato field inspection: recommended practices,
- seed potato lot inspection: recommended practices, and
- seed potato diseases pests and defects.
- guide on minituber production and certification (forthcoming).
The guides are available through the UNECE website.
Following the adoption of the revised standard, UNECE and the World Potato Congress held a joint webinar on 16 March to promote its implementation. The webinar brought together over 130 participants from 42 countries, underscoring strong global interest in harmonized approaches and practical guidance.
Looking ahead, UNECE plans additional webinars to increase knowledge of the standard and support its implementation through seed potato certification schemes, thus contributing to productive crops and resilient food systems.
Source: UNECE. Original post here
Contact:
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Information Unit
Tel.: +41 (0) 22 917 12 34
Email: unece_info@un.org
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