Standard quality inspections and quality-plus systems

A standard quality inspection establishes if material meets the minimum standards set for varietal trueness, varietal purity, health and quality. These standards are based on Dutch and European legislation. With the standard quality inspection, the producer is responsible for the quality of the propagating material supplied.

To enable easier recognition of high quality propagating material in comparison to standard material, Naktuinbouw has developed various quality-plus systems:

• Naktuinbouw Elite for tested propagating material produced in a pyramid system;
• Naktuinbouw Select Plant for lots of propagating material of extra quality;
• Naktuinbouw certificate for lots or plants of propagating material in the arboricultural sector that complies with the certification standards.

These quality marks clearly go further than the standard quality inspections. The propagating material meets more stringent standards for origin, identity, varietal trueness, varietal purity, health (absence of viruses, fungi, bacteria and nematodes), internal and external quality.

Laboratory tests are usually required to establish if all the criteria have been complied with. In many crops the propagating material is tested for the absence of bacteria, fungi, viroids and viruses. The inspection of certified material starts in the early stages of the production chain.

Naktuinbouw is responsible for issuing the certificates at all times. The inspector signs the certificate and stamps it with the Naktuinbouw seal. The certificate only becomes valid at this point. The producer of the certified propagating material always remains responsible for its quality. The Naktuinbouw quality mark confirms that the material has been assessed on several occasions and that based on this Naktuinbouw can endorse the quality indicated by the producer. 

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Select Plant-logo Naktuinbouw