IPPC Observatory

To facilitate compliance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and gauge uptake of the International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), the IPPC Secretariat set up the IPPC Observatory. This evaluation system helps national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) identify challenges and best practices in implementation and address them through recommended actions.

The IPPC Observatory supports NPPOs by providing vital information generated through general surveys and studies on various topics. Along with other IPPC units and partners, it has also set up the IPPC Phytosanitary Systems components pages, a web-based hub of resources and tools to help contracting parties in implementing the IPPC, ISPMs and recommendations by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). The Observatory was originally conceived as the Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS) in 2011, largely funded by the European Commission with additional funding from Switzerland.

Impact of IPPC Observatory studies on IPPC implementation

In-depth study and analyses on topics related to the Convention are often a precursor to CPM recommendations. Several CPM recommendations were developed to address various challenges and recommendations identified in these studies.

Study on the Uses and Risks of Aquatic Plants	Study on the Internet trade (e-Commerce) in Plants: Potential Phytosanitary Risks (2012)	Study on IPPC Diagnostic Protocols (ongoing)	Study on Developing Guidance on Risk-based Border Management (ongoing)

General surveys: Rethinking the design for better results

Analyzing surveys can be an insightful undertaking where a myriad of learning can be gained. In 2012 and 2016, the IPPC Observatory conducted general surveys to determine how NPPOs assessed themselves against IPPC and ISPM implementation. Read more.

First General Survey (2012)	Second General Survey (2016)

IPPC Observatory studies

The Observatory has conducted surveys, studies and reviews over the years to help contracting parties gain insights and help them in implementation. Browse through the documents below which are arranged according to topic.

Phytosanitary surveillance

• 2012-01 Report of Regional workshop for the review of phytosanitary surveillance ISPM-6 Santiago, Chile
• 2012-01 Report of Regional workshop for the review of phytosanitary surveillance ISPM-6 Chiang Rai, Thailand
• 2012-11 Report of Global symposium on plant pest surveillance Anyang, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• 2012-01 Report of Regional workshop for the review of phytosanitary surveillance ISPM-6 Caribbean Sub-region, Hastings, Barbados
• 2012-01 Report of Regional workshop for the review of phytosanitary surveillance ISPM-6 Cairo, Egypt
• 2012-02 Report of Regional workshop for the review of phytosanitary surveillance ISPM-6 Accra, Ghana
• 2012-01 Report of Regional workshop for the review of phytosanitary surveillance ISPM-6 Yerevan, Armenia

ISPM Implementation

• IRSS Survey 2012 Review of the Implementation of ISPM 8: Cataloguing Challenges and Opportunities
• IRSS Survey 2011: Review of the Implementation of ISPM 4
• IRSS Survey 2013: Review of the Implementation of ISPM 13
• IRSS Survey 2012: Review of the Implementation of ISPM 6
• IRSS Survey 2014 Results on Guidelines on lists of regulated pests (ISPM 19:2003) and Pest Reporting (ISPM 17:2002)

IPPC Implementation

• 2013-10 Report of the Round Table Discussion on Indicators of Implementation of the International Plant Protection Convention, Windsor, UK

Compliance mechanism

• 2007-09 Meeting report of Open-Ended Working Group on a Possible Compliance Mechanism, Kuching, Malaysia

Benefits of Contracting Party Implementation

• IRSS Study 2017 Analyzing the benefits of implementing the IPPC: A review of the benefits of contracting party implementation

Use of authorizing entities by NPPOs

• IRSS Study 2020: Authorizing entities to perform phytosanitary actions: an overview of the current use of authorization by national plant protection organizations

E-Commerce

• IRSS Study 2012 The Internet Trade (e-Commerce) in Plants: Potential Phytosanitary Risks

Biosecurity approach

• IRSS Study 2016 The Biosecurity Approach: A review and evaluation of its application by FAO

Aquatic plants

• IRSS Study 2012: Aquatic Plants and their Uses and Risks: A Review of the Global Status of Aquatic plants

Global emerging issues

• 2016-06 Global Emerging Issues: A report of findings from the 2016 IPPC regional workshops questionnaire

Review: Equivalence

• IRSS Study 2016 Equivalence: A review of the Application of Equivalence between Phytosanitary Measures Used to Manage Pest Risk in Trade

IRSS institutional studies

• 2019-11 History of IRSS
• IRSS Study 2016 Diversion from Intended Use: Consideration of the extent of the issue
• IRSS Triennial Implementation Review Report for First Cycle (2011-2014)
• IRSS Triennial Implementation Review Report for Second Cycle (2014-2017)
• IRSS Triennial Implementation Review Report for Third Cycle (2018-2022)