The reference and standard seed sample storage facility fulfils an essential part of the work area of the national seed certification authority as well as the national variety office.
The post control plots provide a clear insight wether the produced varieties are of the desired variety. They are necessary and confirming the results of the field inspections during the production season. The proper storage of the varieties that are produced within Switzerland is the key success factor for the post controls.

The storage of the standard sample is the starting point of the variety registration. The standard sample is submitted by the breeder for the variety registration. It is the seed of which the DUS and the VCU test will be performed. Once registered as a seed variety in the official Swiss cataloque this seed is also used for the DUS tests of other new seed varieties.
The storage must be at a certain temperature (4°C) and there must be a clear oversight in the registration process.