The Disease Prevention Protocol (DPP) Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2021 by BASF-Nunhems, Enza Zaden, Rijk Zwaan and Syngenta that aims to harmonize and continuously improve disease prevention and hygiene standards in the vegetable seed industry . 

The DPP Foundation provides a secure, transparent, industry driven vegetable seed production hygiene certification system with a focus on prevention and management of plant diseases that can be transmitted by seeds. DPP membership is open to all vegetable seed companies and seed producers.  

The DPP Hygiene Standard consists of both the DPP General Requirements and the Crop Specific Requirements. The DPP Hygiene Standard aims to fit all seed production strategies, appreciates cost effective practices, and establishes harmonized hygiene requirements for production and processing. The result is a practical standard that recognizes current industry practices and facilitates continuous improvement through utilization and participant engagement.  

The DPP Risk Assessment Tool facilitates intracompany discussion on risk mitigation at a site level. The Risk Assessment Tool documents mitigation measures implemented by a participant, as well as the participant’s determination of the effectiveness of those measures. As such, the Risk Assessment Tool contributes toward the continuous improvement of a participant’s hygiene practices.   

Participants may consider DPP certification for one or more of the following scopes*:

* Some scopes may be limited to only integrated seed companies, seed production companies, or seed technology companies 

Both internal and external audits are a requirement of participants to achieve and maintain DPP certification.

Internal audits are conducted by the participant’s trained and qualified employees to determine the effectiveness of the implemented Quality Management System along with the seed production and processing practices in meeting the requirements of the DPP Hygiene Standard.

External audits are conducted by a DPP authorized audit organization to confirm the adherence of the participant’s Quality Management System and seed production and processing practices to the DPP Hygiene Standard.