Standards Committee meets to review draft standards and specifications

The Standards Committee (SC) of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is meeting in person in Rome from 14-18 November 2022 to review four draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). The first to be held in person since the COVID-19 pandemic, the SC meeting follows the completion of the second round of consultations on the draft standards which will be presented for adoption at the 17th session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) in March 2023. The SC will review the following ISPMs:

• 2021 amendments to ISPM 5 Glossary of phytosanitary terms;
• Annex to ISPM 20 Use of specific import authorizations;
• ISPM 18 Requirements for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary measure; and
• ISPM 4 Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas.

The SC will also review several draft specifications for ISPMs:

• Annex to ISPM 46 International movement of mango (Mangifera indica) fruit;
• Annex to ISPM 23 Field inspection (including growing-season inspection; and
• ISPM 26 Establishment of pest free areas for fruit flies (Tephritidae).

In addition, the SC will hold preliminary discussion on the “Annex Design and use of systems approaches for phytosanitary certification of seeds to ISPM 38”. More detailed discussion about the Annex will take place in May 2023.

The Committee will further discuss the updates received by the Implementation and Capacity Development (IC) Committee, SPG, Bureau and by the Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection organizations (TC-RPPOs).