UNECE Updates Seed Potato Guidelines for 2025
A key determinant of crop output, productivity, and health is the quality of the seed potatoes. Improved food security and a less environmental effect are two benefits of using high-quality seed potatoes, which enable more production in less area.
After a three-year assessment process, delegates to the 52nd session of UNECE’s Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes (18–20 March 2025) in Geneva agreed on revisions to the UNECE Standard for Seed Potatoes (S-1). Adopted in 1961, the standard promotes fair competition, eases commerce, and enhances the quality and safety of seed potatoes globally.
The Finnish delegation led the review along with the delegations of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Euroseeds, Potato Certification Service South Africa, and the Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority. Their cooperation ensured that the standard took into account the industry’s most recent demands and best practices.
The revised standard will be presented for adoption by the UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards at its 80th session on 17-19 November 2025.
Why this Update is Important
A consistent vocabulary and minimal quality standards are established by the UNECE Standard S-1 for certifying premium seed potatoes for global trade.
Government officials, growers, exporters, and purchasers use it to make that seed potatoes fulfill international requirements. Lowering technical barriers and providing clear, uniform certification standards assist buyers and sellers in understanding the quality of seed potatoes.
At present, this standard is the only international framework covering all key aspects of seed potato certification: varietal identity and purity; traceability and disease control; pest prevention and quality checks; labeling, and record-keeping.
“This revised standard is a crucial tool for the global seed potato industry. By ensuring clear and consistent certification rules, we are helping producers, certifying agencies and traders ensure quality seed potatoes. In today’s trade environment, having a reliable framework like this is more valuable than ever,” Hanna Kortemaa, Chair of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes and Director of the Plant Production Department at the Finnish Food Authority, mentioned.
Key Updates in the Standard
The revised UNECE Standard S-1 includes an improved certification process – a more transparent system 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 labeling through clearer labeling and record-keeping 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 USD1.1bn or 1.7m tons in 2023, UNECE plans to continue its work by focusing on helping countries apply the revised standard in their national systems.
