You will need to check seed databases when you want to certify a variety. You must check first if your variety is listed in the national catalogue. If your variety is not in the list you can then apply to get your variety added to the national list. You can check the section Resources: Legislation for more info about seed certification and marketing.

You can find some of the main seed databases here.

 

UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants)

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is an intergovernmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland. UPOV was established in 1961 by the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (the “UPOV Convention”).

The mission of UPOV is to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society.

 

EU Database

The common catalogues of varieties of agricultural plant and vegetable species list the varieties which can be marketed in the EU.

Catalogues are based on the registration of plant varieties in EU countries after they have been technically examined there and notified to the Commission. They are published in the Official Journal.

Variety registration is a precondition for the certification of seed.

 

OrganicX

This is the official UK database of organic seeds availability.

This database is a requirement of EU Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 and 889/2008 which regulates the use of seeds and seed potatoes in organic farming. The database is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and managed by the Soil Association, working in partnership with FiBL.

You can use this website to search for available organic seeds, vegetative propagation material and seed potatoes. The website is designed to be used by organic farmers and growers to find organic seeds, certification bodies to help authorise derogations and seed companies looking to sell certified organic seeds.

If you want to produce organic seeds you first must check if the variety you want to produce is available organically here. If the variety you are searching for is on the list you must obtain your seeds from the supplier that has the seeds you want to produce. If the variety is not available organically, you must seek a derogation from your certification body before purchasing non-organic seeds. You can check the section Resources: Legislation for more info about organic seeds certification.