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International Seed Testing Association
International Seed Testing Association
Richtiarkade 18
8304 Wallisellen, CH
+41 44 838 60 00
ista.office@ista.ch
International Seed Testing Association

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

How to Purchase 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.

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