ISTA is involved in the development of internationally approved ISTA Rules for sampling and testing seed quality, laboratory accreditation and the promotion of seed science research and test development.

The committees are made up of up to 15 seed scientists and technical specialists from different fields of research.

The committee members may be based in seed testing laboratories, universities, research institutes or companies from all over the world.

Members of each TCOM work together, to develop and enhance the ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing.

On the basis of their work,  the TCOMs can propose changes to the ISTA Rules for Seed Testing.

TCOMs are also responsible for organisation of seminars which provide a platform for presentation of new work in the subject area, and workshops, which provide training in test methods and opportunities for exchange of information, experience and ideas.

All published methods have undergone validation studies to ensure that test procedures give reliable and repeatable results.

The ISTA Rules include 19 chapters describing principles and definitions in detail.

They cover numerous agricultural crops, flower, tree, shrub, medicinal and herbage species from throughout the world.

Accredited laboratories are permitted to issue ISTA International Seed Lot Certificates.

Five sessions, held over three days, include both oral and poster papers on a wide range of topics related to seed science and technology.