The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) is a worldwide organization comprised of seed testing laboratories—both governmental and private-- in over 70 countries. The purpose of ISTA is to develop, adopt and publish standard procedures for sampling and testing seeds, and to promote uniform application of these procedures for evaluation of seeds moving in international trade. In addition, ISTA has a laboratory accreditation program for its member laboratories. ISTA was founded in 1924, and the United States was a charter member, with AMS as the Designated Authority. ISTA meets annually for consideration of proposed amendments to the testing rules, as well as for the work of several technical committees. At the ISTA Congress held every third year, representatives are elected to the ISTA Executive Committee and scientific papers are presented at the seed symposium. The LPS Program, Seed Regulatory and Testing Division is an ISTA accredited laboratory and is currently serving a 3-year term on the ISTA Executive Committee. More information is available on ISTA’s web site.