27 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2026 • ACCREDITATION Takii Europe Laboratory Achieves ISTA Accreditation, Strengthening Seed Quality Assurance and Customer Service Friederike van der Boon Head of Marketing, Takii Europe BV THE QUALITY ASSURANCE LABORATORY (NL12) OF TAKII EUROPE HAS SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINED ACCREDITATION FROM ISTA, marking an important milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to quality, reliability and customer service. The accreditation enables Takii Europe laboratory to perform ISTA-certified seed testing activities in-house, providing greater flexibility and faster response times for customers while supporting international seed trade through globally recognised testing standards. A Strategic Step Forward The ambition to become ISTA accredited had existed within Takii Europe for several years. The project gained momentum in late 2024, when Petra Remeeus, Seed Phytopathologist at Takii Europe, took over responsibility for the accreditation process and guided the organisation through the final stages of preparation. Petra Remeeus to customer requests while maintaining the highest quality standards.” Previously, ISTA Certificates were obtained through external testing services. The new accreditation allows Takii Europe to perform the required activities internally, improving efficiency, flexibility and turnaround times. Building on Existing Quality Systems Takii Europe was already authorised under the NAL [Naktuinbouw Authorised Laboratory] system for several seed testing activities. This provided a strong foundation for the ISTA accreditation process. According to Remeeus, approximately 80 % of the required documentation and procedures were already in place. The remaining work focused on aligning processes with specific ISTA requirements and documenting activities at a more detailed level. “ISTA places a strong emphasis on traceability and detailed documentation,” she explains. “The framework was already there, but we needed to refine procedures and ensure that all requirements were clearly documented and implemented throughout the organisation.” The project involved close cooperation between multiple departments, including the Quality Assurance Laboratory, Intake, Supply Chain and Customer Service teams. Preparation and Audit The accreditation process intensified between November 2024 and the official audit. A valuable pre-audit helped identify areas for improvement and ensured the organisation was well prepared for the final assessment. One of the biggest challenges was keeping all stakeholders informed about procedural updates and ensuring consistent implementation across departments. “The most demanding aspect was making sure everyone understood the requirements and the changes that needed to be made,” says Remeeus. “Accreditation is not just about documentation; it is about embedding quality practices throughout the organisation.” The official ISTA audit was conducted by both a systems auditor and a technical auditor. The audit covered laboratory operations, quality systems, technical competence and compliance with the International Rules for Seed Testing (ISTA Rules) and ISTA procedures. “The atmosphere during the audit was constructive and professional,” Remeeus recalls. “It was an intensive but very valuable experience.” Scope of Accreditation Takii Europe’s ISTA accreditation covers several key seed testing activities, including: • Seed sampling • Purity analysis • Germination testing • Determination of other seeds These internationally standardised methods provide reliable and reproducible results, helping customers make informed decisions and facilitating the movement of seed across international markets. Benefits for Customers and Partners The accreditation delivers tangible benefits for customers and business partners. By conducting accredited testing internally, Takii Europe can “ISTA accreditation is internationally recognised and highly valued by many countries and trading partners,” says Remeeus. “By bringing these activities in-house, we can respond more quickly
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