IPPC Standards Committee advances key draft standards and strategic reforms

Rome, 16 May 2025. The Standards Committee (SC) of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) concluded its May 2025 session at FAO HQ in Rome, having made significant progress on multiple draft international standards and strategic discussions to strengthen the IPPC’s standard-setting framework. The meeting, held from 12 to 16 May, brought together global experts to approve the new draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and draft specifications, and to reflect on the future direction of standard development and implementation.

Draft standards and draft specifications approved for consultation

Following a week of deliberations, the SC approved several draft ISPMs and draft specifications for consultation. These drafts are part of the IPPC’s science-based approach to support countries in protecting plant resources and facilitating safe international trade.

Draft Annex to ISPM 46 on the International Movement of Fresh Banana (Musa spp.)

This draft provides pest risk management options for the international movement of fresh banana fruit, a commodity of significant global trade value. The annex includes phytosanitary measures such as pre-export inspections, systems approaches, and treatment options to mitigate the risk posed by over 50 associated pests.

“This annex offers contracting parties a clear and flexible set of tools for managing risks associated with the international trade of banana,” said André Felipe C. P. da Silva, steward for the draft. “It is important because it helps NPPOs conduct their PRAs to open new markets.”

Draft Annex to ISPM 46 on the International Movement of Taro (Colocasia esculenta)

The draft on taro introduces phytosanitary measures for a root crop that poses unique challenges due to its structure which increases its susceptibility to pest infestation and exposure to contaminated soil. This is the first annex to ISPM 46 to address taro, and it includes information on the associated pests as well as both general and pest-specific options for phytosanitary measures and for systems approaches.

Specification on Remote Audits (Annex to ISPM 47)

The SC approved a draft specification to develop an annex to ISPM 47 (Audit in the phytosanitary context), providing national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) a common approach to perform remote audits. This work responds to increasing demand for digital solutions to conduct audits when travel is restricted, resources are limited, or emergency situations arise, whilst providing an appropriate level of oversight. The draft specification outlines tasks such as describing what remote audits are, their processes and procedures, and clarifying roles and responsibilities for auditors and auditees.

“Remote audits allow NPPOs to maintain the required oversight when physical audits are not possible,” said Steve Côté, lead steward for the topic. “They are an important innovation for efficient, flexible and resilient regulatory frameworks.”

Specifications to Revise ISPM 12 and ISPM 23

Two draft specifications were also approved to initiate revisions of foundational ISPMs:

• ISPM 12 (Phytosanitary certificates): The revision aims to support the harmonization of phytosanitary certificates in both paper and electronic forms (ePhyto) within the transition to the IPPC ePhyto Solution, and clarify requirements for the re-export of products that are safely stored for a significant time and for partially released consignments.

“We are revising ISPM 12 to update the requirements of phytosanitary certificates, supporting the harmonization of paper certificates within the transition to IPPC ePhyto Solution” said Stavroula Ioannidou, lead steward. “This revision is essential for clarity and effective implementation of the standard.”

• ISPM 23 (Guidelines for inspection): This revision aims to update and clarify the requirements for inspection procedures, including the incorporation of the draft annex on field inspections currently under development.

“The inspection landscape has evolved,” said Masahiro Sai, lead steward. “Updating ISPM 23 ensures that NPPOs have relevant and up-to-date guidance to conduct inspections.”

All draft ISPMs and draft specifications approved for consultation will be made available on the IPPC website starting 1 July 2025 (link). Contracting parties and stakeholders are encouraged to participate actively in the consultation process.

Strategic Discussions: Rethinking ISPMs

The SC also held in-depth discussions on the future structure and usability of ISPMs, examining ways to improve the readability, accessibility and implementation of ISPMs.

IPPC Call for Topics Now Open Year-Round

The Standards Committee also welcomed the launch of the IPPC Call for Topics: Standards and Implementation, which is now open for submissions throughout 2025 and 2026. This change allows greater flexibility for contracting parties and regional plant protection organizations to propose new topics for and components to ISPMs, implementation needs, or emerging issues that may require international standard-setting action.