Source: International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Newsletter

Dear Members and Colleagues

After the decision of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) voting delegates taken during the Ordinary Meeting 2005 in Bangkok, a new version of Chapter 8 of the ISTA Rules including the testing for specified traits has come into force on February 1, 2006.

Consequently, laboratories could become ISTA accredited for the testing of specified traits from February 1, 2006 on. The first laboratories have already been audited for specified trait testing.

Now ISTA has also finalised its work in setting up an information platform on the ISTA Website, that is providing necessary information regarding specified trait testing.

The ISTA information platform does not only provide a complete set of information regarding the requirements to become ISTA accredited for specified trait testing. It additionally includes further links to technical information and databases provided by ISTA and other external sources regarding transgenic event descriptions, analytical methods, statistical tools and literature.

It is aiming at providing useful information for all laboratories:
- performing tests on specified traits in seeds
- participating in ISTA Proficiency tests on GMO testing
- willing to become ISTA accredited for testing for specified traits in seeds

The ISTA GM information platform is a useful tool to easily have access to all relevant information around seeds and specified trait testing.

Please use the following link for a direct access to the information platform.
https://www.seedtest.org/stream/nl-l---1--%400dfbc7321031--41.html

Any comments or suggestions towards the newly established ISTA GM Information Platform are highly welcome.

With best regards,

Dr. Michael Muschick
Secretary General
International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)