Member States shall require that packages of basic and certified seed, not made up in the form of EC small packages, be sealed officially or under official supervision in such a manner that they cannot be opened without damaging the sealing system or leaving evidence of tampering on either the official label provided for in Article 28(1) or the package.

In order to ensure sealing, the sealing system shall comprise at least either the official label or the affixing of an official seal.

The measures provided for in the second subparagraph shall not be necessary where a non-reusable sealing system is used.

In accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 46(2) it may be established whether a particular sealing system complies with the provisions of this paragraph.

Packages which have been officially sealed shall not be resealed, whether one or more times, except officially or under official supervision. If packages are resealed, the fact of resealing, the most recent date of resealing and the authority responsible therefor shall be stated on the label required under Article 28(1).

Member States shall require that packages of standard seed and small packages of seeds of the category certified seed be sealed in such a manner that they cannot be opened without damaging the sealing system or without leaving evidence of tampering on the label provided for in Article 28(3) or the package. Except in the case of small packages, they shall also bear a lead or an equivalent sealing device attached by the person responsible for attaching labels. In accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 46(2), it may be established whether a particular sealing system complies with the provisions of this paragraph. In the case of small packages of the category certified seed, packages shall not be sealed on one or more occasions except under official supervision.

Member States may provide for exceptions to paragraphs 1 and 2 in the case of small packages of basic seed closed on their own territory. Conditions relating to these exceptions may be determined in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 46(2).