Lesson 5: Steps in Developing ISPMs
Topic 5: ISPM 15 – A Real World Example
In this topic, we discuss the stages in developing an ISPM, using the development, adoption, and revision of ISPM 15 as a real-world example. Note that the standard setting process has room for changes, and the procedures in place in the year 2000, when work on ISPM 15 began, have changed somewhat since that time, and might change again in future. The standard-setting process can take two to three years, depending on the priority given to a standard, but, in some cases, the development process is much longer.
Objective:
- Describe the critical factors that motivated the development of ISPM 15
ISPM 15 Background
ISPM 15 is the first standard to deal with a specific commodity and specific treatments. The purpose of ISPM 15 is to reduce the risk of the introduction and spread of bark- and wood-infesting insects outside their native range. Hundreds of exotic bark- and wood-infesting insects and nematodes, including Emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and Pinewood nematode, have spread through international trade within the wood-packaging-material pathway. Work on a wood-packaging-material standard began in 2000, when the topic was added to the standard-setting work plan. The interim CPM (which came before CPM) decided that this topic was a high priority because of the severe economic and environmental impacts to forests and urban areas caused by bark- and wood-infesting insects in wood packing material. The IPPC responded to the phytosanitary risk posed by untreated wood packaging material by adopting ISPM 15 in 2002, and by revising it in 2009 to account for new research findings.
Active participation in the standard-setting process gives member countries the opportunity to influence international phytosanitary policy. The IPPC standard setting process provides opportunities for member countries to participate in identifying topics for standards, in drafting standards, in member consultation, and in adoption and publication of standards. It took only two years to develop ISPM 15 because it was a high priority topic. Many other standards take longer to develop.
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