ISO/IEC 17025 Training Course & Consulting Program for Establishing an ISO/IEC 17025-Compliant Laboratory in Crop Variety Research and Development (R&D) Based on ISTA Standard Methods to Enhance Laboratory Capability at Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd. (East

In the context of enhancing the quality of analytical testing in the crop seed sector, the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories is a decisive factor in establishing credibility, strengthening scientific research capability, and meeting the requirements of international ISTA quality management and testing methodologies.

Recognizing this importance, Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd. (East-West Seed) collaborated with VINTECOM International to successfully implement a training and consulting program for laboratory establishment and competence assessment in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025, aligned with ISTA testing methods.
The program covered, among others, crop seed identification methods and methods for determining the percentage of other species seeds in seed samples, in compliance with ISTA regulations.
Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd. (East-West Seed) is one of the leading enterprises in the research, breeding, and production of high-quality crop seeds in Asia and globally.
The company was founded in 1982 by Mr. Simon Nanne Groot, a Dutch seed breeder, with the mission of providing high-yield crop varieties that are well adapted to the cultivation conditions of smallholder farmers.

In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to the global seed industry, Mr. Simon Nanne Groot was awarded the World Food Prize in 2019—often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Agriculture”.
This prestigious award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development, particularly with significant impact on agriculture in Vietnam.

In Vietnam, Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd. (East-West Seed) continues to make substantial investments in:

1. Crop variety research and development (R&D)

2. Enhancing laboratory capability in seed testing and quality evaluation

3. Implementing international standards, including ISO/IEC 17025 and ISTA testing methodologies

Figure 1: Founder of Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd. (East-West Seed)

The implementation of the ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory training and consulting program in collaboration with VINTECOM International demonstrates the strong commitment of Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd. (East-West Seed) to:

✔ Standardizing laboratory testing competence
✔ Ensuring the reliability and accuracy of analytical results
✔ Enhancing scientific credibility and seed product quality
✔ Meeting stringent requirements of both domestic and international markets

To Meet ISTA Testing Method Requirements

The training and consulting program designed by VINTECOM International aims to support Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd. in the following areas:

• Providing training on ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and practical skills in crop seed testing methods in accordance with international ISTA standards for laboratory technicians and laboratory management personnel.

• Designing and establishing a quality management documentation system and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for crop seed testing methods compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISTA.

• Implementing ISTA testing standards for methods to determine seed purity and the percentage of other species seeds in seed samples.

• Standardizing testing procedures, testing methods, and measurement methods in accordance with international requirements.

• Conducting laboratory competence assessment and recognition in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025.

I. Key Training & Consulting Contents

1. Overview of ISO/IEC 17025

• Fundamental principles and requirements of ISO/IEC 17025

• Analysis of ISO/IEC 17025 clauses and guidance on application in laboratory operations

• Training on assessment techniques for ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and ISTA testing methods

2. Establishment of Laboratory Quality Management System & ISTA Testing Methods

• Documentation structure: Quality Manual – Procedures/Instructions – Records & Forms

• Design of responsibility matrices and quality objectives

• Application of the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) cycle in laboratory management

3. ISTA Testing Methods – Determination of Other Species Seed Percentage

• Introduction to ISTA standards and their application scope in crop seed testing

• Detailed guidance on determining the percentage of other species seeds in seed samples

• Optimization of sampling, classification, recording, and result calculation processes in accordance with ISTA requirements

• Practical exercises on measurement, repeatability, reproducibility, and error evaluation in testing

4. Measurement, Calibration, and Testing Quality Control

• Identification of measurement equipment and calibration methods

• Equipment management: maintenance, calibration, and status monitoring

• Application of internal quality control indicators and inter-laboratory comparisons

5. Internal Audit and Pre-Assessment

• Practical implementation of internal laboratory audits in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025

• Simulation of pre-assessment prior to official accreditation assessment

• Methods for developing effective corrective action and improvement plans

II. Target Participants

This specialized program is designed for:

• Laboratory quality management personnel

• Technicians performing seed testing and analysis

• Senior management and managers in the crop seed sector

• Internal auditors preparing for laboratory competence assessment under ISO/IEC 17025

III. Benefits of Applying ISO/IEC 17025 in Laboratories – Especially for ISTA Methods

✔ Enhanced scientific credibility and quality of testing services
✔ Clear and transparent quality control systems, reducing technical errors
✔ Balanced alignment between test results and international standard requirements
✔ Expanded opportunities for international cooperation and recognition of test results
✔ Increased competitiveness and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements

IV. Consulting & Assessment Activities at Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd.

VINTECOM International worked comprehensively with Two Red Arrows Co., Ltd. throughout the following stages:

• Initial laboratory status assessment: evaluation of documentation, equipment, and testing methods

• Design of the ISO/IEC 17025 documentation system, from the Quality Manual to procedures, work instructions, and ISTA-compliant crop seed testing methods

• Laboratory personnel training: theoretical and practical training aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISTA technical requirements

• Internal pre-assessment and corrective improvement to prepare for official accreditation assessment

• Support for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, including corrective actions and post-assessment improvement consulting

V. Commitment from VINTECOM International

With a team of highly experienced experts in:

✔ International standards ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17043
✔ Inspection, technical analysis, and measurement testing
✔ Standardization of ISTA testing methods

VINTECOM International is committed to delivering comprehensive training – consulting – assessment solutions, enabling laboratories to:

🔹 Operate effectively with reliable and accurate measurements
🔹 Comply with international quality management requirements
🔹 Be standardized in accordance with globally recognized standards

✅ By meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of laboratory operations, the training program delivered by VINTECOM International has provided participants with a solid foundation in key aspects of laboratory technical management, contributing to enhanced operational capability and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISTA testing methods for crop seed testing.

➡️ The assessment objective is to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and traceability of laboratory measurement results, helping to meet international standards and customer requirements. In addition, VINTECOM International continues to conduct training courses to improve the quality management and technical capacity of the laboratory to ensure compliance with strict testing requirements in the field of automotive components manufacturing in accordance with IATF 16949, VDA 6.3 and AIAG CQI requirements.

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