Products and Services
Once independent product safety and
efficacy are established, the product’s
compatibility with other active ingredients is
tested. A slurry mix is prepared with other
commercial ingredients that are likely to be
used in combination with the product being
tested. Compatibility is assessed via visual
observation and monitoring of pH changes,
particulate formation and product settling. In
the case of microbial solutions, the process
typically involves assessing compatibility in
slurry solutions during mixing and throughout
the treatment process as well as product
efficacy for the expected shelf life. For seed
treatment solutions, microbial inoculants
and colony forming unit (CFU) counts are
measured as an added safety measure.
Dust off testing can be conducted to further
ensure product safety. Introduced in Germany
in 2008, dust off measurements were used
to protect pollinators and other non-target
organisms from exposure to dust generated
Amanda Ver Helst
SGS Laboratory Research Manager
Email: cropscience@sgs.com
60 2021 Seed Treatment Special
Products and Services
by treated seeds. Today, it’s used
is a high risk of exposure to chemicals needs. We also plan to increase
to evaluate the adhesiveness of
for personnel, so operator exposure investment in the Center of Excellence
treatment solutions by analyzing
studies are performed to ensure approach for seed treatment solutions
the amount of dust created from
personnel safety. After the successful and extend our services for GLP
mechanically stressing the treated
registration of an active ingredient or testing in microbiology as part of
seeds. Dust off testing uses a
seed treatment product, further safety our continued commitment to the
Heubach dust meter and measures
measures are provided as part of the agricultural industry.
the levels of free-floating and
seed treatment stewardship program.
abrasion particles of treated seeds.
The test can be run on samples
Why SGS?
treated with the product alone
or within a commercial solution
SGS laboratories are validated and
mix. SGS has partnered with the
accredited by all relevant international
European Seed Association (ESA) to
standards such as GEP, GLP, and ISO
establish a seed treatment facility
to safely test seed treatment solutions
certification (ESTA) and set dust
during research, development or as a
reference values for several types
final product.
of crops. ESTA prevents treated
With established Centers of Excellence
seeds that fail to meet reference
in South Dakota, USA and France we
values or legal requirements for
can offer the full support required
entering the international market.
for research development processes.
The final step is flowability and
Quality control testing of treated seeds is
plantability testing. Seeds treated
available as well in multiple laboratories
with experimental products are
throughout the USA and Europe, where
monitored to see how they flow
dust limit values are enforced and
through seed treatment application,
independent testing is required.
bagging and planting equipment.
Our global network of 2,600
On top of the above-required
SGS offices and laboratories
steps, SGS offers additional tests
allows us to rapidly
to improve the safety profile of seed
replicate procedures
treatment products. SGS’s in-house
and technology to fit
analytical laboratories offer seed
our customers’
treatment application verification
(STAV) and homogeneity testing. We
also provide crops or environment
residue testing, since many of the
active ingredients have a systemic
effect and translocate within the
plant to provide protection. During
mixing, loading and planting there
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