Seeds Act 1997. Country/Territory Austria Document type Legislation Date 1997 Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Bundesgesetzblatt für die Republik Österreich, Part I, No. 72, 11 July 1997, pp. 941-968. Long titleFederal Act on recognition of seeds, admission of seeds and the placing on the market of seeds and the admission of plant varieties. Subject Cultivated plants Keyword Planting material/seeds Authorization/permit Plant variety Packaging/labelling International trade Standards Royalties/fees Offences/penalties Basic legislation Plant production Geographical area Alps, Europe, EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA, European Union Countries, Western Europe Entry into force notes The present Act enters into force on 1 July 1997, except for article 39(4), which enters into force on 1 July 1998. Abstract An Act to regulate the authorization of seeds, planting material and new plant varieties. It contains at the outset a definition clause relating to various terms employed such as, inter alia, "seeds", "certified seeds", "species", "authorization of seeds", "marketing", "variety". Article 3 lists the competent federal and regional authorities. Seeds and planting material may be marketed only if authorized according to this Act. Part 2 governs the procedure for authorizing seeds and planting materials which must comply with the conditions listed in article 14. Moreover, while the packing and labelling requirements are contained in article 15, Part 3 governs importation regulations. Part 4 contains an Ordinance on new plant varieties which must be homogenous and distinguishable. Finally, the law deals with enforcement, fees, penalties, entry into force and repeal of existing provisions, and transitional and final provisions. The text consists of 80 articles divided into 4 Parts. Full text German Website www.ris.bka.gv.at