The Office of the Indiana State Chemist & Seed Commissioner maintains a cooperative agreement with the USDA Seed Regulatory & Testing Branch for mutual assistance and cooperation in regulatory matters pertaining to seed shipped into the state. The Federal Agency authorizes the Indiana State Seed Commissioner to sample seed and inspect records pertaining thereto, subject to the Federal Seed Act. The Federal Seed Act, by virtue of its basic similarity to the Indiana Seed Law, supplements the state law.

Inspectors employed by the Office of the Indiana State Chemist & Seed Commissioner are authorized to conduct inspections and obtain samples of seed lots in possession of Indiana dealers which were shipped in from out-of-state sources. Any seed lot involved in "interstate commerce" is subject to the both the Federal Seed Act, as well as the state into which the lot was shipped. Samples are tested at the state level, and if found to be in violation, are submitted to the Seed Regulatory & Testing Branch in Beltsville, Maryland for further testing. Lot records obtained at the time of sampling are also forwarded to the federal authorities for additional investigation to determine the most responsible party for the lot.

The cooperative agreement between the Office of Indiana State Chemist & Seed Commissioner and the USDA SR&TB provides a comprehensive enforcement network for both intrastate and interstate seed commerce. It protects not only the seed consumer (farmer) but also the Indiana Seedsman receiving seed from out-of-state shippers for further retail.

Decisions on enforcement action on interstate violations rests solely with the USDA Seed Regulatory & Testing Branch. Upon completion of investigations, warning and/or charges are brought against the violator for violations documented.