The importance of seed potato quality cannot be overstated as it directly impacts crop yield, health, and productivity. High-quality seed potatoes allow for increased production with less land, contributing to food security and reducing environmental impact.
At the 52nd session of UNECE’s Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes in Geneva (18-20 March 2025), revisions to the UNECE Standard for Seed Potatoes (S-1) were agreed upon after a thorough three-year review process. This standard, initially adopted in 1961, plays a crucial role in improving seed potato quality and safety worldwide, promoting fair competition, and facilitating trade.
The review process was led by Finland, with the collaboration of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority, Euroseeds, and Potato Certification Service South Africa. Their joint efforts ensured that the revised standard reflects the latest industry needs and best practices.
The updated standard will be presented for adoption at the 80th session of the UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards on 17-19 November 2025.
Why this update is important:
The UNECE Standard S-1 provides a common language and minimum quality requirements for certifying high-quality seed potatoes for international trade. It is used by government authorities, farmers, exporters, and buyers to ensure that seed potatoes meet global standards. This helps to reduce technical barriers and promotes clear and harmonized certification rules.
Currently, this standard is the only international framework that covers all key aspects of seed potato certification, including varietal identity and purity, traceability and disease control, pest prevention and quality checks, and labelling and record-keeping.
“This revised standard is an essential tool for the global seed potato industry. By ensuring clear and consistent certification rules, we are helping producers, certifying agencies, and traders to ensure quality seed potatoes. In today’s trade environment, a reliable framework like this is more valuable than ever,” said Hanna Kortemaa, Chair of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes and Director of the Plant Production Department at the Finnish Food Authority.
Key updates in the standard include:
• An improved certification process with increased transparency to ensure that certified seed potatoes meet strict quality standards.
• Stronger disease and pest control measures through updated inspection rules to prevent the spread of diseases.
• Better traceability and labelling requirements to help track seed potatoes across the supply chain.
• Alignment with global trade rules, including European and North American trade standards.
The future of seed potato trade:
With global seed potato exports amounting to 1.1 billion USD or 1.7 million tons in 2023, UNECE plans to continue its work by assisting countries in implementing the revised standard in their national systems.
For more information on UNECE guidance on seed potato certification and inspection, please visit the UNECE website.