St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
December 9, 2020
The Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) announced today that its Seed Laboratory has achieved accreditation by the USDA Accredited Seed Laboratory (ASL) program. Gaining ASL accreditation highlights the accuracy, quality, and reliability of test reports and other quality- and compliance-related services offered by MCIA. Successful completion of the rigorous ASL accreditation program is yet another milestone attained by MCIA over the course of its 117-year history.
The development and implementation of a comprehensive Quality Management System was crucial to the Seed Laboratory’s accreditation. “USDA ASL accreditation is the result of months of hard work by our staff and demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering the highest quality services to customers,” said MCIA President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Fawad Shah. “This value-added benefit expands business opportunities for our customers and elevates MCIA’s standing as one of the premier seed certification agencies in the nation.”
The USDA ASL program is a voluntary, user fee–based program for seed testing laboratories, administrated by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. U.S. seed laboratories that participate in the ASL program are also recognized by the Canadian government as equivalent to laboratories certified by the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency.
One of the key advantages of ASL accreditation for Seed Laboratory customers will be easier access to foreign markets: Seed analysis certificates from participating laboratories can now be used to gain admission to most foreign markets that require official testing. Recently, MCIA completed the USDAadministered Canadian Seed Grader Program requirement. In combination, the two programs offer yet another valued-added benefit for MCIA’s customers: Seed tested at MCIA may now be moved into Canadian markets without the need for additional testing and grading in Canada. As a result, MCIA’s customers will enjoy significant savings of both time and money.
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