The Federal Plant Variety Office supports the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in legal/specialist matters relating to legal provisions on varieties and seeds. This requires ongoing discussion and cooperation with stakeholder organisations in the seed and plant breeding industry and the relevant regional authorities and close cooperation with experts from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

In cooperation with the federal state authorities responsible for seed certification, seed marketing control and monitoring adherence to certain regulations, the Federal Plant Variety Office tests the authenticity and purity of seed and plant material for seed certification purposes. In some cases, it also tests propagating material in circulation in post-control cultivation and other suitable testing procedures.

The certification of seed and plant material and the monitoring of adherence to seed law are in the responsibility of  the German federal states. The certification authorities work closely in the working groups of the certification authorities for agricultural seed, seed potatoes  and vine propagating material. The goal of this cooperation is the consistent implementation of the provisions of the Seed Act, Seed Ordinance, Seed Potato Ordinance and the Vegetative Propagation Material Ordinance for Vines.

The working group of the seed marketing control authorities aims to implement controls in a harmonised manner. The Federal Plant Variety Office participates in working group consultations of the certification authorities and seed marketing control authorities and is the  contact point for questions on national and EU seed legislation.