Seed

The following is a brief outline for the labeling requirements of seed and is intended for informational purposes only. For complete details see Pennsylvania Seed Act Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Chapter 71, Seed, as amended.  Title 7 of the Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 111 for supporting labeling requirements.

1. ALL SEEDS
   • Every person functioning as a distributor of seed in this Commonwealth shall apply and obtain an annual license for each legal entity the first of every year.  A fee of $25 will be assessed.
   • Unlawful to sell, offer for sale or transport seed unless properly labeled.   Label must be legible, in the English language, in a conspicuous place on the outside of the container.
   • Complete name and address of seller or labeler.
   • Treatment statement, if treated.
   • No false or misleading advertising or labeling.
   • Seed not correctly labeled may be subject to a "Stop Sale Order" and/or civil or criminal penalties may be assessed.
   • The sale of small amounts of seed from a larger container by a seller to the end user is permitted, provided the sale is made directly from the original container bearing all the required information.
2. AGRICULTURAL SEED
   • Accepted name of kind or kind and variety.  If a mixture, components of 5% or more must be listed in order of predominance.  The words "mixture", "mix", "mixed" or "blend", where appropriate, must be used.
   • Percentages of pure seed, other crop seed, inert matter, and weed seeds that must total 100%.  Allowable limit for weed seeds is 1%.
   • Lot number
   • Origin of alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, red and white clover, field corn (except hybrids) and all certified seed.
   • Name and number of restricted noxious weed seeds.  Check regulations for allowable limits. No prohibited noxious weed seed allowed.
   • Germination percentage, hard seed, if required, and date of test. 
3. LAWN AND TURF SEED AND MIXTURES
   • The components of mixtures must be listed in order of predominance.
   • Maximum amount of inert matter 10% except for "variety not stated" Kentucky bluegrass where the maximum is 15%.
   • Cool Season Grass Seed germination test date is allowed for 15 months, not including month of test.
   • A "Sell by" date is required.
   • Maximum "Undesirable Grass Seeds" is .50%.
4. TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS
   • Common name and scientific name.
   • Lot number.
   • Origin (State and country and elevation).
   • Year collected
   • Germination percentage, hard seed and test date.
   • Percentage of pure seed.
5. VEGETABLE AND HERB SEEDS
   • Accepted name of kind and variety.
   • Germination percentage:  a.) Containers of one pound or less the statement "Packed for ________" and "Sell buy_____" date or the percentage of germination, hard seed, if required, and test date.  B.) Containers of more than one pound, the percentage of germination, hard seed, if required, date of test and lot number.
   • Germinations below standard, the percentage germination, hard seed, if required, date of test, and the statement "BELOW STANDARD".
   • Seeds in germination medium, mats, tapes, etc. must show the minimum number of seeds in the container.
     
6. FLOWER SEEDS
   • Name of kind and variety or a statement of type and performance characteristics.
   • Germination information: Same as above for vegetable seeds.
     

Complete records and a file sample of seeds tested are required to be kept for two years.

Germination Labeling - A germination test date is allowed for nine months not including month of test, unless otherwise stated in the statute. Example: Tested January 2004. This seed could legally be sold thru the end of October 2004. The test date for "hermetically" sealed seed containers is allowed for 36 months.