Extension of accredited and certified container sampling programs to flaxseed shipments

In order to preserve access to markets, the Canadian Grain Commission is extending its accredited and certified container sampling programs to those companies that ship Canadian flaxseed by container. This will allow companies shipping flaxseed in containers to ship under the sampling and testing protocol for flaxseed exported in containers for European Union and Brazil.

Originally, these programs were designed for sending samples to the Canadian Grain Commission for grading only. With flaxseed container shipments, companies with a Certified Container Sampling Program (CCSP) are responsible for sending samples to a laboratory that has been approved to test flaxseed shipments to the European Union and Brazil for the presence of FP967 (CDC Triffid).

Alternatively, companies can register to participate in the Accredited Container Sampler Program (ACSP) and use a third-party accredited sampler to take samples at their facility. Under this program, the third party is responsible for sending the sample to a laboratory that has been approved to test flaxseed shipments to the European Union and Brazil for the presence of FP967 (CDC Triffid).

The results from the laboratory testing must be sent to the company submitting the sample.

• Laboratories approved for testing flaxseed shipments to the European Union and Brazil

Submitting results to the Canadian Grain Commission

The grain company shipping flaxseed must send the laboratory results along with a request for a Letter of Analysis for flax container protocol to the Canadian Grain Commission by using one of the following forms:

• Request for Letter of Analysis for flax container protocol Accredited Container Sampling Program
  • Request form - PDF (255 kb)
• Request for Letter of Analysis for flax container protocol Certified Sampling Program
  • Request form - PDF (255 kb)

The Canadian Grain Commission will issue a Letter of Analysis if the results are negative.

Samples collected under this program can also be sent to the Canadian Grain Commission for grading, if shippers need Canadian Grain Commission certification. If Canadian Grain Commission certification is required, include the appropriate form with the sample you submit:

• I-129 Accredited Container Sampler Program sample submission form
• I-130 Certified Container Sampling Program sample submission form

Contact us

• Contact Process Verification and Accreditation for questions about Accredited and certified container sampling programs.

Related links

• Summary of process for certification of grain companies
• Summary of process for registering to obtain accredited third party sampling service
• Addendum: Sampling and testing protocol for flaxseed exported in containers