International Rules for Seed Testing

The International Rules are ISTA's primary tool to promote uniformity in the seed testing industry.

Featuring 19 sections, the International Rules for Seed Testing have definitions and standardised methods to be used in sampling, testing seed lot quality and reporting results for international trade. The Rules are a useful reference guide to germination conditions and methods for over 1,000 species.

The ISTA Rules are voted, amended and approved annually at the Ordinary General Meeting after considering the Technical Committees recommendations.

ISTA Rules 2025

IMPORTANT TO READ	How to use the ISTA Rules
Documents	Rules Changes for the 2025 Edition OGM Documents
Free Rules Chapters	ISTA Rules 2025: Introduction ISTA Rules 2025 Chapter 1: Certificates ISTA Rules 2025 Chapter 2: Sampling ISTA Rules 2025 Chapter 7: Seed Health Testing Seed Health Methods 2025

The ISTA Rules 2025 are available via IngentaConnect or in our Bookstore.

How to Access via Ingenta Connect

ISTA Members must register to create an account on IngentaConnect. Once registration is complete, follow the instructions according to your membership category:

Member Laboratories
Free online, multi-user access to the ISTA Rules is available as part of your ISTA membership.
1. Go to Ingentaconnect and sign in using your Ingenta Connect username and password (as account administrator).
2. Request access to the ISTA Rules by clicking on Activate institutional subscription, or via Administration > Set up subscriptions.
3. Enter your ISTA membership code and click Go. You will receive an e-mail from Ingenta Connect to confirm receipt of your request.
4. When your request for access has been verified, you will receive a further e-mail from Ingenta Connect. Once you sign in, you can open and download all PDF files of the ISTA Rules.
Note: Only institutional account administrators can activate institutional subscriptions for multi-user access.
Personal Members
Free online, single-user access to the ISTA Rules is available as part of your ISTA membership.
1. Go to Ingentaconnect and sign in using your Ingenta Connect username and password.
2. Request access to the ISTA Rules by clicking on Activate personal subscription.
3. Enter your ISTA membership code and click Go. You will receive an e-mail from Ingenta Connect to confirm receipt of your request.
4. When your request for access has been verified, you will receive a further e-mail from Ingenta Connect. Once you sign in, you can open and download all PDF files of the ISTA Rules.
Associate Members

As part of their ISTA membership, Associate Members can purchase at a reduced price at our online Bookstore, with single-user access to the ISTA Rules.
ISTA Technical Committee Members
Free online, single-user access to the ISTA Rules is available as part of your ISTA membership.
1. Go to Ingentaconnect and sign in using your Ingenta Connect username and password.
2. Request access to the ISTA Rules by clicking on Activate personal subscription.
3. Enter your name and click Go. You will receive an e-mail from Ingenta Connect to confirm receipt of your request.
4. When your request for access has been verified, you will receive a further e-mail from Ingenta Connect. Once you sign in, you can open and download all PDF files of the ISTA Rules.
Non-Members

Online, single-user access to the ISTA Rules set and chapters can be purchased directly from IngentaConnect or at our online Bookstore.
Non-member laboratories, companies, and other institutions can purchase online, multiple-user access to the ISTA Rules.