  
  
G/TBT/N/USA/608/Rev.2/Add.1  
8 July 2020  
(20-4695) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated 8 July 2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States of America .  
 
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Revisions to the Federal Seed Act Regulations  
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA  
ACTION: Final rule  
SUMMARY: This final rule revises the regulations that implement the Federal Seed Act (FSA). 
Revisions are made to seed labeling, testing, and certification requirements. The revisions add 
certain seed  species to the lists of covered kinds of seed and update the lists to reflect current 
scientific nomenclature; update regulations related to seed quality, germination and purity 
standards, and acceptable seed testing methods; and update seed certification  and recertification 
requirements, including new eligibility standards and the recognition of current breeding 
techniques. This rule aligns FSA regulations with current industry practices, harmonizes FSA 
testing methods with industry standards, and clarifi es confusing or contradictory language in the 
existing regulations. The revisions are expected to reduce trade burden associated with interstate 
seed commerce and encourage compliance with State and Federal laws.  
DATES: Effective 6 August 2020.  
This final rule is identified by docket number AMS -ST-19-0039. The docket folder is available on 
Regulations.gov  at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=AMS -ST-19-0039, and provides access 
to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also 
accessible from Regulations.gov  by searching the docket number.  
Previous actions notified under the symbol G/TBT/N/USA/608  are identified by docket number 
AMS-LS-08-0002; primary and supporting documents for those actions as well as comments 
received are accessible from Regulations.gov  at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=AMS -LS-
08-0002. 
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2020-07-07/html/2020 -12920.htm   
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2020-07-07/pdf/2020 -12920.pdf   
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/TBT/USA/20_4096_00_e.pdf  
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