KEPHIS Seed Testing Laboratory at Lanet, Nakuru is accredited by International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) under the ISO 17025 system.

MISSION
To provide accurate information on the quality of seed to agricultural and business community in a timely manner.

MANDATE
The laboratory carries out the following activities as part of the seed certification process.
- Purity analysis
- Other Seed Determination
- Moisture testing
- Weight determination
- Germination testing
- Tetrazolium tests
- Vigour tests
- Pathology tests.

These activities are undertaken as per ISTA rules and methods and the standards as outlined in the seeds and plant varieties Act.

Purity Analysis
This test is carried out to determine the composition by weight of the pure seed in the sample and by inference the composition of the seed lot. The analysis further identifies the various seeds of other plant species and other material in the sample.

Other Seed determination
This test estimates the number of seeds of other species in a given lot. In international trade, this analysis is used mainly to determine the presence of seeds of noxious or undesirable species.

Moisture Tests
The moisture content is an important factor in seed longevity and quality. In seed trade, high seed moisture content may exaggerate the weight of the seed lot and encourage disease infection during storage.

Weight Determination
This test determines the weight per 1000 seeds of the sample submitted. This information is important in determining the seed requirements, seeding rates and estimating plant population.