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significantly. There is also a longer-term perspective for the seed treater. Certification supports improvements in internal processes and the implementation of best management practices. Certification proves that seeds are being treated professionally and sustainably thus ensuring the long-term future of seed treatment. ESTA the badge of quality ESTA European Seed Treatment Assurance is a pioneering quality assurance scheme for seed treatment processes and treated seed that was developed by the seed industry for the seed industry and is managed by the seed industry. ESTA the brainchild of the European Seed Association ESA is a quality control system in which individual seed treatment sites are audited by independent certifying bodies. Continual improvement is made possible by an annual assessment procedure. Treated seed from ESTA-certified facilities is entitled to carry the ESTA logo as a badge of quality. The ESTA certification process The ESTA quality assurance scheme is based on four key aspects first a sound quality management system including for example written procedures a tracking and tracing system and mitigation of non- conformities second risk analysis involving a description of processes identification of risks and management of identified risks third business-specific requirements e.g. proven reliability of seed treat- ment recipes and records of the amount of seed treatment used per seed lot and fourth the proven competence of a seed treaters personnel e.g. formal records of qualifications training measures etc. Bayers global commitment Bayer provides its customers with advice guidance training and an- alytical capacities to fulfill the requirements of the various regional certification schemes. Bayer began by supporting the implementation of certification schemes in Europe where they were most urgently needed and is continuing to do so in other regions. In Canada for example the Accredited Seed Treatment Operation Standards created by CropLife Canada of which Bayer is a member focus on environ- mental health and safety practices for the storage and handling of designated seed treatment products. Brazil and the US have also commenced activities in this field and certification efforts in those two countries are expected to have a positive impact in the near future. Is certification really worth the effort The certification process may be rather involved or even laborious but the effort is certainly worthwhile. Compliance with the ETSA scheme for example proves that a specific seed treatment process and the resulting treated seed meet besides other standards the operator- and environment-related quality and safety standards required by regula- tors and the industry. One ESTA quality criterion for example is the Heubach dust values grams of dust per unit of treated seed. Certi- fication reassures a seed treaters customer that the treated seeds sold adhere to the lowest dust values required under the scheme. Moreover numerous improvements in the treatment processes and indeed the quality of treated seeds are being achieved by implementing certification schemes such as ETSA. In the final analysis the outcome of widespread certification of seed treatment sites will be an indus- try that is competitive quality-conscious continuously improving and genuinely sustainable. For more information go to www.seedgrowth.bayer.com Heubach dust analysis with rotating drum and filter entity ESTA CERTIFICATION PROCESS 1. Seed cleaning 2. Product recipes and formulation 3. Preparation and application of slurry 4. Storage and distribution 5. Usage of treated seed